First Aid Training / CPR

Red Cross First Aid Training / CPR and AED

Your role in the EMS system includes 4 basic steps. Describe what are they?

1) Recognize that an Emergency exists - Realize abnormal or unusual activity (noises, sights, odors, appearances/behavior)

2) Decide to Act - Make a decision to respond to the situation. This step maybe hindered by panic, fear of disease, or just being unsure.

3) Activate  the EMS system - Call local emergency number, depending on situation (9-9-9,9-1-1, etc.)

4) Give care - Take care of the victim until further help arrives. This may be through giving rescue breaths if the person is not breathing, or simply just laying them in recovery position and monitoring the situation.


You walk into health class and Mr Charman is lying on the floor.  Explain / describe the steps that you will take  once you have "decided to act". ( once you start your care you find that he is unconscious but IS breathing)

1. Look around for potential hazards (e.g. chemical spills, fire, smoke, debris, etc.)
2. If there are no hazards then proceed to get response from Mr. Charman.
3. Once there is no response then call local emergency number (9-9-9).
4. Check for broken bones, before turning him over facing up (2 limbs & 2 legs).
5. Check airway, by tilting head (lift chin and push forehead)
6. As he is breathing, put him in recovery position by extending out victim's opposite arm straight above his forehead, checking his legs to make sure they are in suitable position to turn him over.
7. Monitor situation until EMS arrives.

Describe the Front to Back  / Back to Front method of caring for an unconscious breathing patient.

To put victim in recovery position:

1. Extend opposite (from your side) arm directly out from the body, inline with the body.
2. Pull victim's opposite (from your side) leg up, bending the knees.
3. Take hold of victim's clothes around their hip, support their neck, and roll victim away from you using body weight, onto his/her side.
4. Check that victim has his/her head resting on their arm, and airway is unobstructed.