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Fundamental First Aid: The ABC's

By Rod Brouhard, About.com

Updated: February 14, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

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A is for Airway and B is for Breathing

To see if a patient is breathing, look for chest movement, listen for air movement, and feel for air on your cheek.

Rod Brouhard
After caring for your own safety, checking for responsiveness and calling for help, it is important to check ABC's.

ABC's stand for Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

Airway

Checking the victim's airway depends on whether the victim is conscious or unconscious.

If a victim is conscious, ask him or her to speak. The ability to speak directly corrolates with an airway. If a person's airway is blocked, he or she can't speak.

Unconscious victims, on the other hand, require a closer inspection. Put your ear close to the victim's mouth and listen for breathing. Feel for air on your cheek and look at the chest to see if it or the abdomen is rising with each breath.

Breathing

If you do not see, hear or feel normal breathing: start CPR immediately! If the victim is breathing normally, place him or her in the recovery position.

Possible causes of unconsciousness or confusion:

  • Diabetes
  • Seizures
  • Alcohol or drug intoxication
  • Poisoning
  • Overdose
  • Dehydration
  • Illness or infection

Index: Fundamental First Aid: The ABC's

  1. Safety First
  2. Determine if the Victim is Awake
  3. A is for Airway and B is for Breathing
  4. C is for Circulation
  5. While Waiting for the Ambulance

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