First aid decision-making
First Aid Assessment Principles: What to Check First
A good first aid assessment is not about diagnosing everything. It is about spotting danger, deciding what cannot wait, calling for help early, and reassessing the person until professional help arrives or the situation is clearly under control.
If someone is injured or suddenly unwell, the first few moments can feel messy. There may be noise, bystanders, blood, panic, traffic, children crying, or someone saying “they’ll be right” when they are clearly not right.
That is where first aid assessment principles help. They give you a simple order: make the scene safe, check the person, send for help, deal with immediate threats, then look for the details that help you monitor them and hand over clearly.
Quick answer: the first aid assessment order
Start with DRSABCD: Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation. Once immediate threats are managed, do a secondary check for symptoms, injuries, allergies, medications, medical history and what happened.
- If they are not breathing normally: call Triple Zero, start CPR and use an AED if one is available.
- If bleeding is severe: apply firm pressure, lie the person down if possible and call Triple Zero.
- If you are unsure: call Triple Zero and follow the operator’s instructions.
Table of Contents
What a good first aid assessment does
A useful assessment keeps you from getting distracted by the loudest problem instead of the most urgent problem. It helps you answer four questions:
- Is it safe to help?
- Is this person responsive and breathing normally?
- Is there anything life-threatening that needs action now?
- What information will help you monitor the person and hand over to paramedics?
This is why assessment principles are more useful than memorising a list of injuries. They help you picture the order of decisions in a real situation, where you may only have a few seconds to choose what matters most.
Primary assessment: DRSABCD
DRSABCD is the primary assessment sequence used in Australian first aid. It is designed for the first few minutes of an emergency, especially where someone may be unconscious, not breathing normally or in immediate danger.
| Step | What you are checking | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Danger | Hazards to you, bystanders or the casualty. | Do not rush into traffic, electricity, fire, violence, chemicals or other obvious danger. |
| Response | Whether the person can respond to voice or touch. | Talk to them, ask simple questions and gently squeeze their shoulders or hands. |
| Send for help | Whether emergency help is needed. | Call Triple Zero or ask one named person to call while you stay with the casualty. |
| Airway | Whether the airway is open and clear. | Position and manage the airway according to your training. |
| Breathing | Whether breathing is normal. | Look, listen and feel. Gasping or abnormal breathing is not normal breathing. |
| CPR | Whether CPR is needed. | If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. |
| Defibrillation | Whether an AED is available. | Turn it on and follow the prompts as soon as possible. |
For a deeper explanation of each letter, see our DRSABCD guide. For a direct public-health reference, healthdirect also explains Australian first aid basics and the DRSABCD action plan.
Red flags: when to call Triple Zero
Call Triple Zero (000) if someone is seriously injured, very unwell, unconscious, not breathing normally, has severe bleeding, has chest pain, shows possible stroke signs, has anaphylaxis, has a seizure that does not stop, has major burns, or you are unsure how serious the situation is.
Queensland Ambulance Service says the call taker will ask questions and can give first aid instructions while help is on the way. Calling early is not “making a fuss”; it is part of good assessment.
Secondary assessment: what to ask and check
Once immediate threats are under control, slow down and gather useful information. A simple memory aid is SAMPLE:
- S – Signs and symptoms: What can you see, and what does the person feel?
- A – Allergies: Do they have allergies or a known anaphylaxis plan?
- M – Medications: Are they taking medication, or do they have an inhaler, autoinjector or medical ID?
- P – Past medical history: Asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions and pregnancy can matter.
- L – Last oral intake: When did they last eat or drink?
- E – Events: What happened before the injury or illness?
Also keep watching for changes. A person who was talking clearly can become confused. A small amount of bleeding can become severe. Pain can move, breathing can change, and shock can develop over time.
Triage: deciding who needs help first
If there is more than one casualty, focus first on people with life-threatening problems: not breathing normally, severe bleeding, unconsciousness, major trauma, or signs of shock. Someone walking and talking may still need care, but they can often wait while you manage a more urgent problem.
Use bystanders. Ask one person to call Triple Zero, one to find an AED, one to guide the ambulance and one to keep people away from danger. Clear jobs reduce confusion.
Three everyday examples
Cafe choking
Assessment: Can they cough, breathe or speak? Are they getting worse?
Priority: If the airway is severely blocked, act immediately and send someone to call Triple Zero.
Workplace cut
Assessment: Is the bleeding minor, or is it heavy and not controlled by pressure?
Priority: Firm pressure first. Severe bleeding is urgent and may take priority over other checks.
Playground fall
Assessment: Did they hit their head? Are they confused, vomiting, drowsy or in severe pain?
Priority: Keep them still if you suspect serious injury and seek urgent medical help.
Common assessment mistakes
- Starting with the injury instead of the scene. If the area is unsafe, you may become the next casualty.
- Assuming breathing is normal because there is movement. Gasping or irregular breathing can still mean CPR is needed.
- Letting the loudest person take all your attention. Quiet, pale or confused people can be more urgent.
- Forgetting to reassess. First aid is dynamic. Keep checking breathing, response, bleeding, pain and skin colour.
- Waiting too long to call for help. You can always update the operator if the situation improves.
Why practice matters
Assessment principles are easier to use when you have practised them. In a first aid course, you rehearse DRSABCD, CPR, AED use, bleeding control, recovery positions and common scenarios while someone can correct your technique.
If you are in Brisbane, HLTAID011 Provide First Aid is the usual starting point. If you only need CPR, see HLTAID009 Provide CPR. The goal is not to turn you into a paramedic; it is to help you stay useful in the first few minutes.
FAQs
What is the first thing to check in a first aid emergency?
Check for danger first. Make sure it is safe for you, bystanders and the injured or unwell person before you move closer or start care.
When should I call Triple Zero during a first aid assessment?
Call Triple Zero if someone is unconscious, not breathing normally, seriously injured, has severe bleeding, has chest pain, shows stroke signs, has anaphylaxis, or you are unsure how serious the situation is.
What comes after DRSABCD?
Once immediate danger, response, airway, breathing, CPR and defibrillation needs have been checked, do a secondary assessment for injuries, symptoms, medical history and changes in condition.
Sources and further reading
- healthdirect Australia: First aid advice
- Queensland Ambulance Service: Calling an ambulance
- ANZCOR Guideline 9.1.1: First Aid for Management of Bleeding
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