Circumstances requiring first aid or CPR can happen suddenly and without warning. Before such a time comes it is best to be prepared with basic knowledge of terms and tools for both first aid and CPR. Familiarity with common terminologies, products and concepts is the first step to administering first aid or CPR appropriately and when needed. The ultimate glossary of terms about CPR and first aid is compiled here to build this familiarity and help you help others.
First Aid
Before getting into the alphabetical glossary, it is necessary to define first aid itself. First aid is best defined as the initial care given to a sick or injured person until official medical treatment may be provided. Below is the ultimate glossary of terms of common first aid practices and products. The goal of first aid boils down to five main goals. These five goals are often referred to as the 5-P’s of first aid. The goals are: to preserve life, to prevent illness/injury from worsening, pain relief, promote recovery, protection of the unconscious. To accomplish each of these goals there are elements of care with a variety of terms listed below that can aid and assist in accomplishing many scenarios that may require some first aid action.
First aid is often the first step to recovery from a litany of conditions or ailments. It is also crucial to recognize when first aid is only the initial treatment of a bigger medical treatment need. It is best practice to consult a professional medical provider or emergency services when a medical event occurs.
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1st degree burn—mild burn exhibited by pain and redness of the top layers of the skin
2nd degree burn—more sever burn of lower skin layers causing pain and showing redness, swelling, and blisters
3rd degree burn—through the dermis or deepest layers of skin causing pain or numbness and appearing white or blackened
911—emergency phone number for American emergency services
A
Abdomen—belly part of the body containing digestive organs
Abnormal—not typical or expected
Abrasion—act of being scraped or wearing off
Abscess—swollen part of the body containing pus
Acetaminophen—drug used to treat pain and fevers
ACLS—advanced cardiovascular life support
Acute—severe degree of, intense
Adhesive—able to stick to, sticky
Adrenaline—hormone given off during times of stress
Adult—any person past the age of puberty
Advanced cardiovascular life support—used by trained medical personnel in emergency response, it goes beyond basic life support (BLS) to include airway and pharmacology intervention
Advanced life support—often referred to as ALS, comprises more complex life support measures such as supporting ventilation
AED—automated external defibrillator, electric medical device used to detect arrhythmic heart rates and administer shock if needed
Airbag—safety device inside vehicles that inflate to cushion passengers in event of a collision
Alcohol—applied to the skin as a disinfectant
Alert—ability to think clearly
Alka-seltzer—antacid pain reliever used for upset stomach, general pain and more
Allergy—immune response of hypersensitivity to certain substances
Aloe vera gel—natural remedy made from aloe plants that can help skin heal from sunburn
Ammonia—cleaning fluid
Amputation—part of the body separated or cut from the rest of the body
Analgesic—pain relieving drug
Anaphylaxis—acute allergic reaction where the body is hypersensitive
Anemia—condition being deficient of red blood cells or hemoglobin leading to paleness or weariness
Anemic—to suffer from anemia, being lack of color
Anesthetic—substance which causes insensitivity to pain
Angina—condition of chest pain which is intense and central to an area of the chest and could spread
Anomaly—outside the ordinary
Antacid—medication taken to neutralize stomach acid to reduce heartburn, indigestion or upset stomach symptoms
Antibiotic—medicine which destroys microorganisms
Antihistamine—drug used to treat allergies
Antiseptic—substance used to prevent growth of disease-causing microorganisms
Apnea—a pause in breathing pattern lasting more than twenty seconds
Artery—muscular tube in the body which circulates blood from the heart to all the body
Asphyxia—interruption of blood flowing through the body causing lack of oxygen and abundance of carbon dioxide
Aspiration—process to take breath
Aspirin—compound used to relieve pain and inflammation
Assess—to evaluate the quality, review the area, review of the body from head to toe to determine ailment or condition needing treatment
Asthma—respiratory condition resulting in difficulty to breathe
Avulsion—a sudden separation or tearing away
B
Bacteria—group of microorganisms that can cause disease or illness
Bandage—strip of material used to bind wound
Basic life support—often referred to as BLS, it comprises basic first aid and CPR treatments
Biohazard—biological work or that with microorganisms that poses risk to health
Biopsy—sample of tissue for purposes of testing within a laboratory
Bite—cut by use of teeth
Bleeding—loss of blood from inside the body due to injury
Blood pressure—pressure level of blood in circulation which relates to the force of the heart beating
Blood sugar—concentration of the blood’s glucose
Blood—red liquid circulating inside the body which carries oxygen/carbon monoxide to/from body tissues
Brachio—related to the arms
Breathing—taking air in and out of the lungs
Bruise—injury with discolored skin appearance
Burn gel/cream—used on burn injuries to draw heat from the area and prevent the heat damage from penetrating deeper into the skin, it also protects against contamination
Burn—injury caused by a fire or heat source, see also: electric burn, thermal burn, chemical burn, 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree burns
Butterfly closure—adhesive and narrow strip used to close ends of small wound together
Bystander—person nearby an incident
C
Calamine—pink soothing ointment or powder typically used to treat itching skin
Car seat—portable seat made for attachment to a passenger seat for securing a baby or small child
Carbon monoxide—toxic gas
Cardiac—having to do with the heart
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation—often referred to as CPR, medical procedure to compress the chest and restore blood circulation
Cardiopulmonary—having to do with the heart and lungs
Carotid artery—major artery on either side of the neck supplying blood to the brain
Cellulitis—tissue under the skin that is infected
Central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord
Cerebrovascular accident—sometimes referred to as a stroke, disruption of blood supply to brain due to ruptured blood vessel or artery being blocked
Chain of survival—denotes the likelihood of survival for patients with a cardiac emergency, the chain includes five steps: recognition of cardiac arrest and call for emergency services, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rapid defibrillation, basic/advanced emergency medical service, advanced life support measures and post care
Chemical burn—burn caused by exposure to hazardous chemical
Chest pain—pain localized to the chest area
Child—any person between the age of one year and before puberty
Choke—difficulty breathing caused by constriction or blockage
Cholesterol—compound within the blood that in high amounts can lead to coronary heart disease and cause a heart attack
Cleansing wipe—moist material to remove dirt
CNS—central nervous system
Collapse—give way or fall
Collision—violent striking or a moving object against another object moving or still with force
Coma—deep prolonged unconsciousness
Compound fracture—broken bone protruding through the skin
Compression—thrusts 1 ½ to 2 inches in depth into the center of the chest to promote oxygenated blood flow to vital organs during CPR
Compress—to press or squeeze together
Concussion—blow to the head that leaves one unconscious with aftereffects of confusion
Conforming bandage—elastic binding dressing that stretches to mold to the body, ideal for otherwise difficult to wrap areas or atop a dressing over a wound to retain in place
Confusion—circumstance displayed by one’s lack of understanding or panic
Congestion—state of being abnormally full or blocked by ways of blood, mucus or other substance
Conscious—awareness and response, awake
Contract—to develop, such as developing an illness or disease
Contraction—shortening of uterine muscles in preparation for child delivery
Contusion—area of injured tissues with broken capillaries
Convulsion—sudden irregular and often involuntary movement usually associated with brain disorder
Corticosteroid—steroid hormone used to treat arthritis, allergies and other conditions
Cotton tip applicator—swab to collect sample for laboratory testing or to apply medication to a wound
Cough—response of the body following irritation of throat or airway
CPR face mask—piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) used to create barrier and safely deliver rescue breaths during CPR
CPR—cardiopulmonary resuscitation, act
Cramp—muscle pains and spasms
C-spine—cervical spine commonly referred to as the neck
Cut—an opening or incision typically of the skin
Cyanosis—blue skin discoloration resulting from decreased oxygen
D
Debris—scattered material or waste
Decongestant—medicine to reduce nasal passage congestion
Dehydration—reduction in amount of water within the body that can be harmful
Delirium—a disturbed state of mind sometimes caused by fever or under influence of drug or alcohol
Derma—related to the skin
Diabetes—disease wherein the body’s ability to regulate glucose is abnormal
Diabetic coma—unconsciousness due to insufficient use of insulin which leads to increased glucose
Diaphoresis—sweating excessively
Diarrhea—frequent feces discharge
Dilate—to become larger, wider, more open
Discharge—liquid flowing from confinement, such as from previous containment in the body
Dislocation—injured disturbance from normal placement as in a joint or other body part
Disoriented—loss of sense of surety or direction
Diuretic—substance increasing amount of water running through the body
Dizzy—spinning sensation that can cause losing of balance
Dramamine –antihistamine often used as a counter to nausea, often related to air or water travel
Dressing—protective material upon a wound
E
EKG— electrocardiogram, display and record of heartbeat produced by electrocardiography
Elastic bandage—stretchy bandage used in a wrap design to support the attached area
Electrical burn—burn caused by electricity contact
Electrocardiogram—also known as EKG is a display and record of heartbeat produced by electrocardiography
Electrocardiography—electrical activity measurement of the heart
Electrocution—injury of someone by means of electric shock
Elevate—lift to a higher position that it was or than is the normal position
Embolism—blood clot
Emergency code—notice given of event requiring immediate actions
Emergency department—section of a hospital administering immediate care
Emergency oxygen—administered for many cardiac or breathing related emergencies
Emergency services—typically identified in America as immediate police, fire or medical needs
Emergency—serious, sudden dangerous situation needing counteraction immediately
EMT—emergency medical technician, beginning level care provider in emergency medical services
Encepha—related to the brain
Entonox—pain relieving gas
Epidermis—outer layer of skin
Epilepsy—neuro disorder featuring recurrent episodes of disturbances to consciousness
Epi-pen—injection of epinephrine to open the lungs and narrow blood vessels which is used to treat extreme allergic reactions
ER—emergency room
External bleeding—bleeding outside the surface of the body from an open wound
Eye pads—small pads to absorb a secretion from the eye
Eye wash—solution for cleansing of the eyes
Eye wash station—unit equipped to wash out the eyes if in contact with hazardous chemicals, typically with a large volume of water and change of clothes
F
Face shield—type of personal protective equipment (PPE) used to cover entire face from a hazard or infection
Faint—dizzy and/or weak that can lead to unconsciousness
Fall—movement downward without control
Fall risk—patient denotation given when a person is especially prone to a fall and can cause additional harm
Fatigue—extreme tiredness inhibiting mental and physical response sometimes brought by excess mental or physical exertion
FBAO—foreign body airway obstruction
Febrile convulsion—seizure in children due to change in temperature, typically overheated
Finger cot—medical device to cover an entire finger where a full glove is not necessary
First aid kit—contained collection of basic medical products to give medical treatment with items such as bandages and medical cleansers for use of injury or illness
Foam—small mass of bubbles from a person’s mouth
Food poisoning—illness caused by food contaminated by bacteria, toxins, or viruses
Fracture—break or crack in hard object such as bone
Frostbite—injury to body tissue from extreme cold exposure
G
Gasp—strained inhale of breath
Gastro—related to the stomach
Gauze—thin material used for dressing or swabbing a wound
Glaucoma—increased pressure within the eyes
Gloves—hand covering worn as personal protective equipment
Glucose—sugar energy source in living organisms
H
Health care professional—one who works and operates within a branch of healthcare such as medicine, surgery, dentistry, etc
Heart attack—caused by blockage of artery from being supplied blood and oxygen
Heart burn—gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Heart rate—also known as pulse, throbbing rhythmically of arteries carrying blood throughout the body
Heart—organ which pumps blood
Heat exhaustion—condition resorting from loss of fluid due to excess heat
Heat therapy—used for pain relief with a hot bottle/pad/cloth often in instances of muscle stiffness
Heatstroke—condition of fever and sometimes unconsciousness where the body failed to control its temperate from exposure to high heat
Heimlich maneuver—procedure to clear windpipe obstruction
Hemato—related to the blood
Hemorrhage—intense escape of blood
Hemorrhoid—swollen veins in anal area
Histo—related to tissue
Humidifier—device to emit moisture
Hyperglycemic—high level of blood sugar
Hypertension—high blood pressure
Hypoallergenic—designation as unlikely to cause allergy
Hypoglycemic—low level of blood sugar
Hypotension—low blood pressure
Hypoxia—oxygen deficiency in body tissues
I
Ibuprofen—compound used as an anti-inflammatory
Ice therapy—used for pain relief with an ice pack or cold pack for a variety of causes which can include those without inflammation
Icepack—frozen medical tool to apply cool sense to injured area, best to be kept from direct contact with skin and maintained for periods of 20 minutes
Immediate—done at once
Incision—cut made via surgery
Infant—any person less than one year of age
Infection—being infected by way of disease causing organism
Ingest—to take in the body, via swallowing or absorption
Inhaler—portable administration tool for drug to relieve asthma
Injection—driving force of entry for medicine under pressure
Injury—fact of being damaged, harmed or injured
Insulin—hormone regulating glucose in blood
Insulin shock—condition from excess insulin in the bloodstream leading to low blood sugar, weakness or even coma
Internal bleeding—closed wounds bleeding inside the body
Intervention—action taken to improve upon a situation
Invasive—requires entering the body
Iodine—antiseptic
Irritant—substance causing discomfort, inflammation or other irritation to the body
J
Jaundice—condition with yellowing of skin, or the whites of the eyes due to excess bilirubin caused by issue within the liver
L
Laboratory—building for conduction of experiment or for treating of chemicals or drugs
Laceration—deep tear or cut of the skin and flesh
Lack—to be without or not enough of something
Laxative—medicine to initiate evacuation
Lesion—wound, sore, cut
Lightheaded—being dizzy or faint
Lumbar support—support designed to keep the spine aligned
M
Magnesium sulfate—salt bath to soak skin and ease muscles and joints
Medication—drug or substance used to treat medical condition
Membrane—pliable tissue in a thin layer
Mini stroke—experience of the brain caused by temporary lack of blood and can have effects of a wide range
Mucus—substance slimy and created for lubrication
Myocardial infarction—heart attack
N
Nausea—feeling sick and likely to vomit
Needle disposal—safe disposal of needles to prevent unintended needle prick
Needle—fine hollow metal point end of a syringe
Nerve—bodily fiber transmitting sensory impulses to muscles and organs
Noninvasive—does not require entering the body
Normal—typical or expected
Nosebleed—to bleed from the nose
Numb—lack of sense of feeling
O
Oedema—excess fluid in tissues or in cavities of the body
Ointment—oily smooth skin medicine
One-way valve—permitting to flow in a single direction, such as the heart pumps blood or a CPR mask valve protects from patient’s fluids blocking air from the rescuer
Orally—by way of mouth
Orthostatic hypotension—can cause fainting from standing at attention, where the blood does not circulate from the lower legs and lacks flow to the brain
Overdose—excessive amount of a drug
Oximeter—tool to measure oxygen levels of the blood
Oxygen—life-supporting gas
P
Pain—physical discomfort caused from an injury or illness
Paper tape—also known as surgical or medical tape, pressure-sensitive adhesive to hold a bandage to a wound
Paracetamol—pain reliever and fever reducer
Paramedic—trained emergency medical care for those who are seriously ill or injured, often with advanced training to treat and stabilize patient outside of the hospital setting, often from an ambulance
Parts bag—sterile bag used to collect and transport amputated body parts or teeth/chipped teeth for possible reattachment
Patient—person who is receiving medical treatment
Pediatric—branch of medicine treating children
Pelvis—lower part of the main body mass between legs and abdomen
Personal protective equipment—also referred to as PPE comprises gloves, masks gowns, and more to protect the wearer from hazards
Pharmacy—store dispensing medicines and drugs
Physician—one who is qualified to practice medicine
Pinch—to bring a finger and thumb together to close
Pocket mask—personal protective equipment (PPE), small mask creating barrier to deliver rescue breaths, also known as CPR mask
Poison—substance which causes illness
Poison control center—medical facility able to immediately treat over the phone in the event of exposure or ingestion of hazardous or poisonous substances
Polybag—plastic resealable bag used for containing contaminated objects or waste such as biohazard soiled clothing
Polyp—this mass of tissue
Prescription—medicine instruction written by medical practitioner for particular treatment
Preserve—to keep alive
Pressure—continued force applied by contact with wound usually to cease bleeding
Pressure point—places on the body where blood can be stopped by enough means of pressure to major artery
Prevent—to stop from happening
Primary care—day to day healthcare administration typically outside of specialty care
Probe—instrument used to inspect wound
Projectile—travelling with some force through the air
Promote—to enhance the progress of
Prone—position lying face down
Protect—to keep safe from injury or harm, aim to preserve
Pulled muscle—also known as muscle strain, muscle becomes overstretched or torn, common to lower back or legs
Pulse—throbbing rhythmically of arteries carrying blood throughout the body, best places on the body to feel for a pulse are either wrist, either elbow crease, either side of the neck, or the top of either foot
Puncture—small hole usually caused by sharp object or a piercing
Pus—yellow and thick liquid produced by infected tissue containing bacteria
R
Recovery position—laying on the left side of the body which decreases aspiration issues
Recovery—returning to a state of health
Relieve—reduction or causing of pain to be less
Respiration—action of taking a breath
Responsive—quick or able to react or answer
Resuscitate—to revive from unconsciousness or death
Revive—regaining of life, consciousness or ability
RICE—rest, ice, compression, elevation, used for treating damage to soft tissues or bruising
Rinse—wash with clean water, sometimes with or without soap, to remove dirt
S
Safe—not exposed to rick or danger
Safety pin—pin and point bent back and held in guard, used to secure
Safety shower—unit designed to allow for washing of the head and body if in contact with hazardous chemicals, usually equipped with water, change of clothes, and safe container for items soiled with hazardous material
Salt water rinse—measurement of ½ teaspoon of salt to one cup water, used by swishing, gargling, and rinsing around the mouth to wash bacteria away and loosen mucus
Samaritan—helpful person
Scissors—instrument used to cut
Scrape—when the skin is damaged by being rubbed against a surface
Seatbelt—strap or belt to prevent person from injury by securing to seat, found in vehicles and aircraft and more
Seizure—a sudden onset of illness usually displayed by collapsing and convulsions
Semi-prone—position lying on one’s side, typically the left in first aid
Septic—filled with bacteria
Sharps container—hard plastic container designed to collect sharp instruments for safe disposal
Shock—(state of) a disturbance which can cause instability from an experience that was upsetting, (from and AED during CPR) an electro current delivered to the heart
Silvadene—prescription burn cream used for second- and third-degree burns
Sinus—nasal cavity
Sling—fabric or strap looped to offer support or relieve weight
Sore—ache in part of the body
SPF—sun protection factor which indicates the effectiveness or protective lotion or cream, level of protection often found in sunblock
Splinter—thin, small, sharp piece of material usually glass or wood
Splint—rigid, often wooden material, used to restrict movement where there is a broken bone
Sprain—twisted ligaments of a joint that resort to swelling
Sterile pads—clean material free of bacteria used to clean or protect wounds
Sternum rub—common physical stimulus practiced in emergency response when patient fails to respond to verbal stimuli, sternum rub is the application of pain from a fist rubbed to the center of the chest
Stimuli—something that causes a reaction
Sting—sharp organ of bees, ants, wasps and more which creates pain or burning sensation
Stool—a piece of feces
Stretcher—frame of various construction type meant to make an injured person portable
Stroke—interruption within the brain causing loss of consciousness or disability suddenly
Sunblock—lotion of cream designed to prevent the skin from penetrating violet ray damage
Sunburn—overexposure to violet rays from the sun leaving skin red, inflamed, blistered or peeling
Supplement—additional to, more than what is supplied
Suppressant—substance used to restrain, such as a cough suppressant
Sutures—stitches, used to bring together edges of a wound
Swab—absorbent piece of material used to clean a wound or apply medication
Swell—portion of the body enlarging beyond regular size from accumulation of fluid
Symptom—physical or mental condition indicative of having illness or disease
Syringe—tube and nozzle for ejecting liquid
T
Tailbone pillow—used to cushion when siting upon it for conditions such as hemorrhoids, herniated discs, and post-surgery recovery
Temperature—degree of heat or body temperature
Tetanus—extra contraction of a muscle by repeated measures, also known as muscle spasm
Thermal blanket—emergency thermal blanket used for reducing heat loss for treatment of hypothermia
Thermal burn—burn caused by heat exposure as from fire, hot liquid or other heat source
Thermometer—temperature detecting instrument
Tissue—material plants and animals are made of
Tongue depressor—small flat wooden instrument to press on tongue to allow clear inspection of mouth or throat
Toothache—pain in the teeth with varying degrees of severity
Topical—applied onto a part of the body
Tourniquet—device for stopping blood flow when compression does not succeed
Trauma-shock or serious injury to the body
Treatment—season of medical care
Triage—medical method to prioritize treatments
Triangular bandage—large piece of cloth in right triangle shape, used as a sling and secured with safety pins
Tweezers—small pincers usually used to grip minute objects such as splinter or hair
Twitch—jerking movement, suddenly
U
Unconscious—to be unaware, something done without being realized
Unresponsive—without a response
Urine—fluid discharged from the bladder
V
Vein—tubes within the body carrying blood to the heart
Ventricular defibrillation—heart rhythm problem of rapid impulses similar to a quivering effect without pumping blood effectively
Vertigo—whirling sensation caused often by looking down from heights
Victim—a person harmed or injured
Viral—caused by a virus
Virus—agent of infection causing disease or illness
Vomit—matter ejected through the mouth from the stomach uncontrollably
W
Water—basic fluid of life for living organisms
Water break—flow of amniotic liquid from pregnant female
Weak—lack of physical power to perform
Wound—injury to the tissue by any means of impact, cut, or abrasion
X
X-ray—photo image of parts of the body by x-rays being passed through
Y
Yeast—fungus able to cause infection
Z
Zinc oxide tape—commonly applied to joints and muscles by stabilizing them for athletes, used to protect wounds and accelerate healing
CPR
Similar to first aid, it is helpful to understand CPR’s definition before additional terminology related to it. CPR is the common abbreviation for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is a medical intervention maneuver used when the heart has stopped circulating blood due to cardiac arrest. CPR is done to circulate oxygenated blood to the brain and other vital organs while the heart is not doing so on its own. CPR can greatly increase the victim’s rate of survival, and knowing the various terms that comprise CPR can help the rescuer to achieve their goal of helping the victim. Many terms within CPR are synonymous with first aid, with special emphasis given to heart-related terminology, tools, and methods related to giving CPR.
CPR is essential to supporting and increasing a victim’s chances of survival, but it is not the sole method for treating someone suffering cardiac arrest. CPR should be used in conjunction with professional medical treatment called for at the very first opportunity. These steps are part of what is known as the 5-P’s of first aid, described above. Tying the 5-P’s of first aid into CPR is quite simple. The first P, preserve life is done by the sheer drive to intervene as a Samaritan. Second, prevent, is done by checking the scene for additional safety hazards and setting up for CPR. Next, pain relief, the sooner the cardiac arrest can be corrected the likely the patient is to feel some pain relief. Fourth, promote recovery. Promoting recovery is done already simply by beginning CPR. The sooner CPR begins, the better the chances of recovery are. Finally, protection of the unconscious. Again, checking the scene for safety and treating them with vital CPR methods is offering their life some sanctity.
Continue on with the ultimate glossary of terms about CPR below. Knowledge is power, and both will be needed if faced with administering this life-saving skill.
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1 second—length of time to give rescue breath
100-120—rate or speed of compressions per minute
2—number of rescue breaths between compression cycles
30—compression count between rescue breaths
911—emergency service number to call right away when determining medical response is necessary
A
ABC—airway, breathing, circulation
Abnormal—not typical or expected
ACLS—advanced cardiovascular life support
ACT—assess the situation, call 911, treat the victim by beginning CPR
Acute—severe degree of, intense
Adhesive—able to stick to, sticky
Adult—any person past the age of puberty
Advanced cardiovascular life support— used by trained medical personnel in emergency response, it goes beyond basic life support (BLS) to include airway and pharmacology intervention
AED—automated external defibrillator, electric medical device used to detect arrhythmic heart rates and administer shock if needed
AED pads—adhesive electrode pads designed to detect the heart’s rhythm and administer a shock if needed, AED pads come in sizes for different aged patients where the most appropriate pads should be used for optimal results
Airway—open using the head tilt/chin lift method to deliver rescue breaths
Arrhythmia—condition of the heart beating irregularly
Artery—muscular tube in the body which circulates blood from the heart to all the body
Aspirin—compound used to relieve pain and inflammation, can also be used by those with coronary disease to prevent heart attacks
Assess—to evaluate the quality, review the area, review of the body from head to toe to determine ailment or condition needing treatment
B
BAC—breathing, airway, circulation
BPM—beats per minute in a song that can help keep track of the 100-120 compressions needed per minute, examples: Staying Alive, Walk The Line, Crazy in Love etc.
Bystander—person nearby an incident
C
CAB—compressions, airway, breathing
CAD—community access defibrillation plan
CCC—check, call, care
Call—for help, for and AED and 911 to receive emergency services
Cardiac arrest—heart ceases to function
Care—begin providing care to the victim such as CPR or first aid
Center of chest—between the nipples along breast bone
Chain of survival—denotes the likelihood of survival for patients with a cardiac emergency, the chain includes five steps: recognition of cardiac arrest and call for emergency services, immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), rapid defibrillation, basic/advanced emergency medical service, advanced life support measures and post care
Check—view the scene for safety hazards
Chest rise—successful rescue breaths should inflate the chest slightly
Child—any person aged one year and up to puberty
Circulation—CPR circulates oxygenated blood through the body when the body is not doing so
Community access defibrillation plan—also known as public access defibrillation, a program supporting placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the community and public areas, often with records of locations kept at local emergency services
Compressions—thrusts 1 ½ to 2 inches in depth into the center of the chest to promote oxygenated blood flow to vital organs
CPR—cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cycle—series of events repeated in order
D
Drowning—inhalation of water often resulting in cardiac arrest and even death
E
Electrocardiogram—also known as EKG is a display and record of heartbeat produced by electrocardiography
Electrocardiography—electrical activity measurement of the heart
Electrode—adhesive patches attached to monitor of AED to measure heart rate
EMT—emergency medical technician, beginning level care provider in emergency medical services
G
Gasp—strained inhale of breath
Gloves—hand covering worn as personal protective equipment
Good Samaritan Law—civil liability protection of bystander caregiver in emergency situation if conducted under good faith
H
Hands-only CPR—CPR with compressions only and omitting rescue breaths, usually used by those untrained or out of practice of standard CPR
Head tilt/Chin lift—maneuver to open the airway and deliver rescue breaths
Heart attack—caused by blockage of artery from being supplied blood and oxygen
Heel of the hand—part of the palm near the wrist
I
Immediate—done at once
Inches—1 ½ inch compression depth for infants, 2 inches compression depth for children through adults
Infant—any person less than one year of age
Intervention—action taken to improve upon a situation
K
Kneel—position supported by the knees used to administer CPR if victim is on the floor
L
Lack—to be without or not enough of something
M
Mask—CPR mask can be used to provide a barrier for delivering rescue breaths
Medical assistance—emergency services arriving as a result of calling 911
Medical prep razor—sometimes found in AED kits and used for quick removal of hair on patient’s skin in preparation for attaching AED pads
Mouth to mouth—method for delivering ventilation via rescue breaths from the rescuer’s mouth to the victim’s
Myocardial infarction—heart attack
N
Normal—typical or expected
O
One-way valve—permitting to flow in a single direction, such as the heart pumps blood or a CPR mask valve protects from patient’s fluids blocking air from the rescuer
Oxygen—life-supporting gas
P
Paramedic—trained emergency medical care for those who are seriously ill or injured, often with advanced training to treat and stabilize patient outside of the hospital setting, often from an ambulance
Pinch—to bring a finger and thumb together to close
Pocket mask—personal protective equipment (PPE), small mask creating barrier to deliver rescue breaths, also known as CPR mask
Pulse—throbbing rhythmically of arteries carrying blood throughout the body, best places on the body to feel for a pulse are either wrist, either elbow crease, either side of the neck, or the top of either foot
R
Recovery position—laying on the left side of the body which decreases aspiration issues
Rescue breaths—given commonly from mouth-to-mouth method to breathe for the victim and deliver oxygen to lungs during CPR
Respiration—action of taking a breath
Responsive—quick or able to react or answer
Resuscitate—to revive from unconsciousness or death
Revive—regaining of life, consciousness or ability
Rocking motion—used to propel rescuer’s body into the victim’s for best compression delivery
S
Safe—not exposed to rick or danger
Samaritan—helpful person
SCA—sudden cardiac arrest
SCD—sudden cardiac related death
Scissors—instrument used to cut, can be found in AED kits to easily remove clothing in preparation for AED pad attachment
Solid surface—victim should be moved to a solid surface (floor) if able to be done safely, for optimum positioning and support for CPR
Stack hands—both hands interlaced on top of each other in the center of the chest with heel of hand as base to deliver compressions
Sternum rub—common physical stimulus practiced in emergency response when patient fails to respond to verbal stimuli, sternum rub is the application of pain from a fist rubbed to the center of the chest
Stimuli—something that causes a reaction
Symptom—physical or mental condition indicative of having illness or disease
T
Teen—person between childhood and adulthood, usually eight years through puberty
Tempo—rate or speed of motion or music
Triage—medical method to prioritize treatments
U
Unconscious—to be unaware, something done without being realized
Unresponsive—without a response
V
Vein—tubes within the body carrying blood to the heart
Ventricular defibrillation—heart rhythm problem of rapid impulses similar to a quivering effect without pumping blood effectively
