The Immediate Action Plan - DR ABC
People at work or home can suffer injury or illness at anytime. It doesn't matter whether this is caused by their work or not - what is important is that the first person to arrive at the scene of the situation, makes priority arrangements to ensure the casualty receives immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill. The initial management of injuries and illness, until expert medical attention is received, could make a difference between life and death.

The immediate action plan consists of five steps:
Danger,
Response,
Airway,
Breathing and
Circulation.

Response

Check the casualty for a response by touching the casualty on the shoulders and asking loudly ‘are you all right?’ This is known as the ‘Touch & Talk’ technique. There is no need to shake a casualty to gain a response, just putting your hand on the shoulder and talking loudly is an effective method and will awaken a sleeping person, or trigger a reaction in someone who is inebriated or sick. A casualty that does not react should be considered unconscious.

There are three levels of consciousness:

• fully conscious - the casualty is responsive and alert and aware of time and place
• semi-conscious - the casualty is drowsy or confused
• unconscious - the casualty is unresponsive

If the casualty responds

If the casualty responds by answering and appears conscious, leave them in the position in which you find them (provided they are not in further danger).

• check the casualty’s condition and get help if needed
  • send someone for help
  • if you are on your own, leave the casualty and go for help
• observe and reassess the casualty’s vital signs regularly

If the casualty does not respond

• shout for help
• check the airway