The ABCs are initialism mnemonics for essential steps used by both medical professionals and lay persons when dealing with a patient. The ABCs of first aid are the primary things that need to be checked when you approach the victim, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. The ABCs of first aid consist of three different components:
- A = Airway: Check the airway to make sure its clear.
- B = Breathing: Check to see if the person is breathing.
- C = Circulation/Compression: Check for a pulse and perform chest compressions if necessary.
Sometimes the ABCs of first aid are expanded to include a fourth component, D, which can mean a few different things, such as deadly bleeding, severe allergic reaction, heavy bleeding, severe burns, or suspected poisoning.
It's important to note that the ABCs can also refer to a rapid assessment of life-threatening conditions in order of priority, such as in the case of Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs) for prioritizing care for nursing RNs. Additionally, the ABCs can refer to the ABCs of behavior, which stands for Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence, and is used in applied behavior analysis to understand and modify behavior.
