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| '''ABC''' stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation. It is a |
'''ABC''' stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation. It is a reminder of the priorities for assessent and treatment of many acute medical situations, from first-aid to hospital medical treatment. Airway, breathing and circulation are vital for life, and each is required, in that order, for the next to be effective. | ||
| ==A - Airway== | ==A - Airway== | ||
| If the patient's airway is blocked, oxygen cannot reach the lungs and so cannot be transported round the body in the blood. Ensuring a clear airway is is the first step in treating any patient. Common problems with the airway involve blockage by the tongue or vomit. | |||
| *Ensuring a clear airway is is the first step in treating any patient | |||
| *'''How:''' | |||
| **Check to make sure that the ] is clear | |||
| **If there is an obvious obstruction in the mouth, then remove it. Do not remove false teeth if they are well fitting, and do not attempt a finger sweep as this may push [[foreign bodies[[ further into the airway. | |||
| **Once the airway is clear, open it by tilting the head back. This lifts the ] is suitable in this situation''). | |||
| Initial opening of the airway is often achieved by a head tilt - chin lift or ] technique, although further manouvers such as ] may be necessary. (See ]) | |||
| ==B - Breathing== | ==B - Breathing== | ||
| The patient is next assessed for breathing. Common findings during an assessment of breathing may include normal breathing, noisy breathing, gasping or coughing. The rescuer proceeds to act on these based on his/her training. Generally at this point it will become clear whether or not the casualty needs supportive care (such as the ]) or active ]. | |||
| *Once the patient has a clear airway, then they need to be assessed to see if they are breathing | |||
| *'''How:''' | |||
| **Look, listen and feel for breathing | |||
| **This means watching for the chest rising, listening for breathing with your cheek over the patient's mouth, and feeling for breath on your cheek | |||
| **Assess breathing for up to ten seconds | |||
| *''If there is breathing:'' | |||
| **Place the patient in the ] and call for help | |||
| *''If there is no breathing:'' | |||
| **'''National guidelines vary''' | |||
| **Begin rescue breathing - mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-nose or mouth-to-stoma | |||
| ==C - Circulation== | ==C - Circulation== | ||
| Once oxygen can be delivered to the lungs by a clear airway and efficient breathing, there needs to be a circulation to deliver it to the rest of the body. This can be assessed in a number of ways, including ] check, ] analysis, or ] time. | |||
| ⚫ | ==Discussion== | ||
| *'''How:''' | |||
| The techniques employed at each of the 3 stages will differ according to the training, experience and often the nationality of the rescuer. ABC is fast becoming redundant as different national and international bodies change their priorities from this order. | |||
| ***'''National guidelines vary''' | |||
| ***Circulation can be assessed by checking for a pulse or looking for signs of life | |||
| ***The pulse can be checked in the neck ] pulse ('''not in UK''') | |||
| ***Signs of life include movement, coughing, breathing, pink colour | |||
| See also: | |||
| *''If there are no signs of life / pulse:'' | |||
| **Start ] | |||
| ⚫ | ==Discussion== | ||
| Within the UK, resuscitation guidelines have recently changed. The pulse check has been dropped in favour of checking for signs of life, as this is more accurate and reproducible. | |||
| ] | |||
| Check with your national governing body for correct guidelines. | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ==Links== | ==Links== | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 11 May 2006
ABC stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation. It is a reminder of the priorities for assessent and treatment of many acute medical situations, from first-aid to hospital medical treatment. Airway, breathing and circulation are vital for life, and each is required, in that order, for the next to be effective.
A - Airway
If the patient's airway is blocked, oxygen cannot reach the lungs and so cannot be transported round the body in the blood. Ensuring a clear airway is is the first step in treating any patient. Common problems with the airway involve blockage by the tongue or vomit.
Initial opening of the airway is often achieved by a head tilt - chin lift or jaw thrust technique, although further manouvers such as intubation may be necessary. (See Airway)
B - Breathing
The patient is next assessed for breathing. Common findings during an assessment of breathing may include normal breathing, noisy breathing, gasping or coughing. The rescuer proceeds to act on these based on his/her training. Generally at this point it will become clear whether or not the casualty needs supportive care (such as the recovery position) or active resuscitation.
C - Circulation
Once oxygen can be delivered to the lungs by a clear airway and efficient breathing, there needs to be a circulation to deliver it to the rest of the body. This can be assessed in a number of ways, including pulse check, ECG analysis, or Capillary refill time.
Discussion
The techniques employed at each of the 3 stages will differ according to the training, experience and often the nationality of the rescuer. ABC is fast becoming redundant as different national and international bodies change their priorities from this order.
See also:
Advanced trauma life support Resuscitation Recovery Position