DRSABCD Action Plan: Learn vital steps for handling medial emergencies
Stay prepared for emergencies with the DRSABCD Action Plan – your essential first aid guide for assessing and responding effectively in critical situations. Discover each step to ensure you’re ready to provide help when it matters most.
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Follow DRSABCD Action plan in the event of a medical emergency.
Danger
Check for danger and ensure the area is safe for yourself, bystanders and the patient.
Response
Check for a response: ask name and squeeze shoulders. No response? Send for help. Response? Make comfortable; monitor breathing and response; manage severe bleeding and then other injuries.
Send for help
Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or ask a bystander to make the call. Stay on the line. If alone with the patient and you have to leave to call for help, first turn the patient into the recovery position before leaving.
Airway
Open the patient’s mouth and check for foreign material.
Foreign material? Roll the patient onto their side and clear the airway.
No foreign material? Leave the patient in the position found, and open the airway by tilting the head back with a chin lift.
Breathing
Check for breathing Look, listen and feel for 10 seconds.
Not normal breathing? Ensure an ambulance has been called and start CPR.
Normal breathing? Place in the recovery position and monitor breathing.
CPR
Start CPR — 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths. Continue CPR until help arrives, the patient starts breathing, or you are physically unable to continue.
Defibrillate
Apply a defibrillator as soon as possible and follow the voice prompts
In a medical emergency call Triple Zero (000). You could save a life with First Aid Training