First Aid Glossary icon

Every important First Aid terms explained.

A

Abdominal Injuries

Trauma to the abdomen causing potential internal bleeding and organ damage.

Advanced Care

Specialized medical interventions beyond basic first aid, requiring professional skills.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

Device used to deliver an electric shock to the heart in cardiac arrest.

Airway

Critical path for air entering lungs, must be clear to ensure breathing.

Allergic Reactions

Immune system's response to allergens, can range from mild to severe symptoms.

Anaphylaxis

Severe allergic reaction needing immediate emergency treatment to prevent fatality.

Antiseptic

Agent that inhibits the growth of infectious microorganisms on the skin or wounds.

Artificial Respiration

Manual method to restore breathing in individuals who have stopped breathing.

Asthma

Chronic respiratory condition marked by airway inflammation and difficulty breathing.

Asthma Inhaler

Portable device delivering medication directly to lungs for asthma symptom relief.

Automated Voice Prompts

Pre-recorded instructions provided by medical devices to guide users during emergencies.

B

Bandages

Materials used to cover wounds and provide support to injured body parts.

Barrier Device

Protective equipment used during mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to prevent infection.

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Emergency procedures for sustaining life, including CPR and airway management.

Bites and Stings

Injuries caused by animals or insects, potentially leading to pain and infection.

Bleeding Control

Techniques and tools used to stop or manage bleeding in injured individuals.

Blisters

Fluid-filled sacs on the skin resulting from friction or burns.

Bloodborne Pathogens

Infectious microorganisms in blood causing diseases, requiring safety precautions.

Body Mechanics

The use of proper body movements to prevent injury during physical tasks.

Breathing Difficulties

Conditions that impair normal breathing, necessitating immediate assessment and aid.

Bronchitis

Inflammation of the bronchial tubes causing cough and mucus production.

Burns

Tissue damage caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.

C

Calm Reassurance

Providing emotional comfort and reducing anxiety during an emergency situation.

Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cessation of heart function, requiring immediate resuscitative efforts.

Cardiac Conditions

Various heart-related health issues needing medical attention and management.

Chain of Survival

Sequence of actions improving the survival rate of cardiac arrest patients.

Chemical Burns

Injury caused by exposure to harmful chemicals, needing prompt care.

Chest Compressions

Manual compressions of the chest to maintain blood circulation during cardiac arrest.

Childcare First Aid

First aid techniques tailored to infants and young children's unique needs.

Choking

Obstruction of the airway by a foreign object, requiring immediate removal efforts.

Circulation Problems

Issues affecting blood flow, potentially leading to serious health complications.

Cold Related Emergencies

Health emergencies arising from exposure to cold, such as frostbite or hypothermia.

Concussion

Brain injury from impact causing temporary loss of function and requiring monitoring.

Consent

Permission obtained from a conscious individual before administering first aid.

Contusions

Bruises resulting from trauma causing bleeding under the skin.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths to sustain circulatory and respiratory function.

CPR Flowchart

Diagram showing the steps involved in performing CPR.

Crush Injury

Damage from a heavy object compressing body parts, often leading to serious complications.

Crush Syndrome

Systemic condition from prolonged compression, requiring specialized treatment.

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin due to lack of oxygen, indicating respiratory issues.

D

Debriefing

Review and discussion following an emergency event to improve future responses.

Defibrillation

Administering a controlled electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

Diabetes

Chronic condition affecting blood sugar regulation, requiring careful management.

Diabetic Emergency

Critical situation caused by abnormal blood sugar levels needing urgent care.

Dislocations

Bones forced out of position, often causing pain and requiring realignment.

Dizziness

Sensation of lightheadedness or imbalance, potentially indicating underlying issues.

Dressings

Sterile coverings for wounds to promote healing and prevent infection.

Drowning

Submersion in water leading to respiratory distress, requiring immediate intervention.

DRSABCD

Mnemonic for Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR, Defibrillation.

Drug Overdose

Ingestion of toxic amounts of drugs, causing serious health risks or death.

Duty of Care

Legal obligation to provide a standard of reasonable care to prevent harm.

E

Ear Injuries

Damage to the ear from trauma or infection, potentially affecting hearing.

Electric Shock

Injury caused by electrical current passing through the body, needing careful handling.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Essential phone numbers to call during emergency situations.

Emergency Plan

Pre-arranged procedures to follow during various types of emergencies.

Emergency Services

Organisations providing immediate assistance in emergencies, like police and fire departments.

Emotional Support

Providing psychological comfort to individuals during and after emergencies.

Epilepsy

Neurological disorder with recurrent seizures, requiring medical management.

Epipen

Device for injecting adrenaline to treat severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.

Eye Injuries

Trauma to the eye requiring prompt treatment to prevent vision loss.

F

Fainting

Temporary loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.

Febrile Convulsions

Seizures in young children triggered by high fever, needing prompt care.

First Aid Certification

Formal recognition of training and competence in providing first aid.

First Aid Kit

Set of medical supplies for administering initial care in emergencies.

First Aid Officer

Designated individual responsible for providing first aid in an organisation.

First Responder

Person trained to offer initial emergency assistance before professional help arrives.

Fracture Immobilisation

Techniques used to stabilise broken bones and prevent further injury.

Fractures

Breaks in bones caused by trauma, needing medical evaluation and treatment.

Frostbite

Freezing of skin and underlying tissues from extreme cold exposure.

G

Gauze

Thin, often sterile fabric used to dress and protect wounds.

Gloves

Protective wear for hands to maintain hygiene and prevent contamination.

Good Samaritan Law

Legal protection for individuals who assist in emergencies, provided they act reasonably.

Grief Counseling

Support provided to help individuals cope with loss and grief.

H

Haemorrhage

Heavy bleeding from damaged blood vessels, needing urgent control.

Hand Hygiene

Practices to keep hands clean, preventing the spread of germs and infections.

Hazard Assessment

Process of identifying potential risks in an environment to ensure safety.

Head Injuries

Trauma to the head requiring monitoring and potentially urgent care.

Heart Attack

Emergency where blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, causing damage.

Heart Conditions

Medical issues affecting heart function, requiring diagnosis and treatment.

Heat-Related Emergencies

Health issues caused by exposure to high temperatures, like heatstroke.

Heat Stroke

Severe heat illness with high body temperature, needing immediate cooling.

High Blood Pressure

Condition where the force of blood against artery walls is too high.

Hygiene Procedures

Steps to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection in medical settings.

Hyperventilation

Rapid breathing often from anxiety, needing techniques to restore normal breathing.

Hypothermia

Dangerously low body temperature from prolonged cold exposure.

I

Immobilisation Techniques

Methods used to keep injured body parts stable and prevent further damage.

Incident Report

Documentation of events and responses during an emergency situation.

Infection Control

Measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Infection Signs

Indicators of infection like redness, swelling, and fever.

Injury Prevention

Strategies to avoid injuries in various settings.

Insect Bites

Skin punctures from insects causing pain, swelling, and potential infection.

Intoxication

Effects of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or drugs.

Irrigation Solutions

Liquids used to cleanse wounds and prevent infection.

J

Joint Injuries

Damage to the connections between bones, like sprains or dislocations.

L

Lacerations

Deep cuts or tears in the skin, needing cleaning and closure.

Legal Considerations

Aspects of law relevant to providing first aid.

Life-Threatening Conditions

Serious medical situations requiring immediate intervention to prevent death.

M

Manual Handling

Safe techniques for lifting and moving objects to avoid injury.

Medical Alert Bracelet

Accessory indicating a person's medical conditions in emergencies.

Medical Emergency

Urgent health situation needing immediate medical attention.

Medication Management

Organizing and administering medications safely and effectively to patients.

Mental Health First Aid

Initial help given to someone developing a mental health problem.

Minor Injuries

Less severe injuries that do not require emergency medical intervention.

Multiple Injury Management

Coordinated care for individuals with multiple injuries.

Muscular Sprains

Injury to muscles or tendons caused by overstretching.

N

Nasal Injuries

Injuries to the nose, potentially causing bleeding or breathing issues.

Needlestick Injury

Injury from a needle puncturing the skin, posing infection risk.

Negligence

Failure to provide proper care, resulting in harm.

Neurological Assessment

Evaluation of the nervous system to determine injury or disease.

Nosebleed (Epistaxis)

Bleeding from the nose caused by trauma or other factors.

O

Obstructed Airway

Blockage of the airway requiring immediate intervention.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Practices ensuring health and safety in the workplace.

Overexertion

Physical strain from excessive effort.

Oxygen Administration

Providing supplemental oxygen to individuals with breathing difficulties.

P

Paediatric First Aid

First aid techniques specifically for infants and children.

Pain Management

Techniques to alleviate pain in patients.

Paracetamol

Common medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever.

Pathogens

Microorganisms that can cause disease.

Penetrating Trauma

Injury caused by an object piercing the body.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards.

Poison Control

Services providing advice on managing poisoning incidents.

Poisons

Substances causing harm or illness when ingested, inhaled, or contacted.

Post-Incident Debrief

Review of actions and responses after an emergency.

Primary Survey

Initial assessment to identify life-threatening conditions.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Protecting individuals personal health information.

Prosthetic Device

Artificial device replacing a missing body part.

Psychological First Aid

Immediate support to reduce initial distress during emergencies.

Pulse Oximetry

Non-invasive method to measure oxygen saturation in the blood.

Puncture Wounds

Deep wounds caused by sharp objects.

R

Radiation Exposure

Contact with harmful levels of radiation.

S

Steps to Place a Casualty in the Recovery Position

Safe position to maintain an open airway in an unconscious person.

R

Respiratory Arrest

Complete cessation of breathing, requiring resuscitation.

Respiratory Distress

Severe breathing difficulty needing urgent intervention.

Resuscitation Mask

Mask used to deliver breaths during CPR.

Risk Assessment

Identifying and evaluating potential risks.

S

Saline Solution

Sterile saltwater used to clean wounds.

Secondary Survey

Detailed head-to-toe assessment following the primary survey.

Seizure Management

Care and interventions for individuals experiencing seizures.

Seizures

Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.

Shock

Critical condition with inadequate blood flow to organs.

Skin Integrity

Maintaining healthy, unbroken skin.

Sling Application

Using a sling to immobilise an injured arm.

Snake Bite

Bite from a venomous snake requiring immediate treatment.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

Spinal Injury

Damage to the spinal cord needing careful handling.

Splinting

Using a splint to immobilise an injured body part.

Spontaneous Breathing

Breathing that occurs without assistance.

Standard Precautions

Basic infection control practices.

Sterilisation

Making equipment free of microorganisms.

Strain

Injury to muscles or tendons from overstretching.

Stroke

Interruption of blood supply to the brain.

Substance Misuse

Improper use of drugs or alcohol.

Sunburn

Skin damage from excessive sun exposure.

Swelling

Enlargement of body tissue due to injury or inflammation.

Syncope (Fainting)

Temporary loss of consciousness from insufficient blood flow to the brain.

T

Tachycardia

Abnormally fast heart rate.

Tetanus

Bacterial infection causing muscle stiffness.

Thermal Burns

Burns caused by heat.

Trauma

Severe physical injury or wound.

Triage

Prioritising treatment based on injury severity.

Tuberculosis

Infectious disease affecting the lungs.

U

Ulcer

Open sore on the skin or mucous membrane.

Universal Precautions

Measures to prevent the spread of infections.

Unresponsive

Not reacting to stimuli, indicating severe condition.

V

Venomous Bites

Bites from venomous animals.

Ventilation

Assisting or controlling breathing.

Vital Signs

Measurements of the body's basic functions.

Vomiting

Forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

W

Waterborne Diseases

Diseases transmitted through contaminated water.

Wound Care

Procedures to treat and protect wounds.

Wound Dressing

Coverings used to protect wounds.

X

Xiphoid Process

Small bone at the lower end of the sternum.

Y

Yellow Fever

Viral infection causing fever and jaundice.

Z

Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases transmitted from animals to humans.