If you’re keen to increase your first aid skills, you’ll need to know about first aid terms and definitions. These will help you remember conditions and procedures essential to first aid.

Read our post on understanding first aid terms to get ahead with your training. It will serve as a guide to the most common abbreviations, acronyms and terms to give you an insight into the world of first aid.

You’ll also discover other essential things you need to know about delivering first aid with confidence.

Common first aid terms

Let’s find out about some of the most common first aid terms you are likely to come across.

AED. This is an abbreviation for automated external defibrillator. An AED is a portable device that can be found in many public places in Australia. It is used to administer an electric shock to the patient, which helps restore their heart to a normal rhythm. AEDs are easy to use and offer step-by-step instructions — you don’t need any special skills to use one successfully.

BSL. This stands for basic life support. It’s the care that first aiders can give to a casualty who is experiencing cardiac arrest, an obstructed airway or respiratory distress before healthcare professionals arrive.

CPR. This is short for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It’s a lifesaving technique that involves giving chest compressions and rescue breaths in a certain pattern. The chest compressions aid blood circulation, while the rescue breaths supply the patient with oxygen. You can learn the technique on a recognised first aid course.

DRSABCD. Each letter in this abbreviation represents a step you should follow in response to a first aid emergency. These steps are:

Danger — check for danger before you help the patient.
Response — check for the patient’s response.
Send for help — dial Triple Zero (000) for help.
Airway — check to see if the patient’s airway is clear.
Breathing — observe the patient’s breathing.
CPR — start CPR if the patient is unconscious and not breathing.
Defibrillator — use a defibrillator to restore normal heart rhythm if appropriate.

Find out more details about DRSABCD here.

Primary survey. This is the initial assessment you carry out to understand a casualty’s injuries or health condition. It helps you identify any serious or life-threatening issues and prioritise care.

Recovery position. If the casualty is breathing but unconscious and has no life-threatening issues, then you should place them in the recovery position. This keeps their airway clear and stops them from choking on vomit or other fluid. You can find out more by following the St John Ambulance Australia instructions here.

RICE. The RICE protocol is a way to treat strains and sprains. It stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Triple Zero (000). This refers to the number you need to call to reach police, fire or ambulance services in an emergency. You can call Triple Zero (000) from a fixed, mobile, pay or satellite phone and certain Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

When you call Triple Zero (000), the operator will ask if you need police, fire or ambulance. You will then be directed to the appropriate service. The operator will ask you for information about the emergency and your location. Do not hang up until the operator says you can.

If you have a speech or hearing impairment, you can use the One Zero Six (106) text-based service.

If you wish to speak to an operator in a language other than English, you can ask for an interpreter once you are connected to the service you need. This service is free of charge.

How else can I increase my first aid confidence?

If you’re just starting out learning first aid, you will want to bolster your confidence levels as much as possible.

You can do this by:

  • Registering on a first aid course
  • Practising your skills as much as possible
  • Reading about the subject
  • Having a well-stocked first aid kit to hand
  • Refreshing your skills regularly

Be prepared for a medical emergency

First aid is a great skill to have. And just by learning what the common terms and abbreviations mean, you can increase your confidence and abilities.

To help you feel prepared for a medical emergency, keep a first aid kit in your home, workplace and vehicle. You can check out MediBC’s extensive range of first aid kits in our online shop.

MediBC is a premier supplier of first aid kits and medical products, delivering quality items throughout Australia. With reliable delivery and great customer service, we’re proud to supply our customers with the best products for their first aid needs.