QUESTION: First aid: how to assemble a home first aid kit and what should be in it?

The ABC algorithm is an international standard for the rapid assessment of a victim's condition in a critical situation, based on checking vital functions. This abbreviation stands for the first letters of English words and sets a clear sequence of actions for the rescuer before medics arrive.

The first step, denoted by the letter A, means checking and ensuring the patency of the airways, for which it is necessary to carefully tilt the victim's head back and lift the chin. This action helps prevent the tongue from falling back, which is a frequent cause of mechanical asphyxia in unconscious people.

The second step, denoted by the letter B, is aimed at assessing breathing, for which the rescuer must lean over the victim's face and use the "hear, see, feel" rule for ten seconds. It is necessary to check whether the chest is rising, whether breathing noises are heard, and whether air movement is felt on your own cheek.

The third step, denoted by the letter C, is responsible for assessing blood circulation and the presence of signs of life, including checking the pulse on the carotid artery and assessing the color of the skin. If there is no breathing and pulse, it is necessary to immediately begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation, alternating chest compressions with artificial respiration.