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 you are 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.
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John State and Territory agents). These agents (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
St John Ambulance Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities on the Traditional Lands on which we work Australia wide. We acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, the Traditional Custodians of the Canberra region, where our Australian Office is based. We pay our respects to elders past and present. At St John Ambulance, we are an inclusive organisation. We welcome and respect people that come from all backgrounds, cultures, religions, genders, sexualities, bodies, and abilities. Access to First Aid and its knowledge are fundamental human rights. Every person deserves access to life saving support, no matter who they are.
St John Ambulance Australia’s nationally recognised accredited courses are delivered by way of third-party arrangement with other organisations (for example, with our St John State and Territory agents). These agents (except WA) are authorised to deliver nationally recognised and accredited training on behalf of St John Ambulance Australia Ltd (RTO 88041).
