First Aid Guide: The 3 Cs and 3 Ps to Save Lives
Know all about the 3 c’s and 3 p’s to save lives, steps in detail, essentials in a first aid kit and building a first aid kit.
Introduction
In a critical moment, panic is the enemy. Knowing what to do before professional help arrives can mean the difference between a full recovery and a tragic outcome. First aid isn't just for medical professionals; it's a fundamental life skill for everyone. This guide breaks down the two core frameworks that form the backbone of effective emergency response: the Three Cs and the Three Ps of first aid. By understanding and applying these simple yet powerful principles, you can confidently take control of an emergency and provide crucial aid to someone in need.
Why Understanding First Aid Principles Matters?
Every year, countless accidents occur at home, on the road, and in public spaces. The World Health Organisation notes that prompt and proper first aid can significantly reduce the severity of injuries and improve the chances of survival. The golden hour, the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury, is critical. The actions taken by bystanders during this window are invaluable. The 3 Cs and 3 Ps provide a structured, easy-to-remember mental checklist that cuts through the chaos of an emergency, ensuring you don't miss a vital step.
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The First Step: The Three Cs of Emergency Response
The Three Cs are your immediate response protocol. They are sequential, meaning you should generally complete one before moving to the next. This framework ensures a safe and organised approach.
Check the Scene and the Person
Before you rush in, you must assess the situation. Your safety is paramount.
Check the Scene: Is the area safe? Look for ongoing dangers like traffic, fire, smoke, electrical wires, unstable structures, or violent people. Do not become a second victim. If the scene is dangerous, do not enter; instead, call for professional help immediately.
Check the Person: Once the scene is safe, approach the victim. Check for responsiveness. Gently tap their shoulder and shout, "Are you okay?" If they are unresponsive, you must quickly check for life-threatening conditions. This is done using the Primary Survey, often remembered as DRABC (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
The DRABC Primary Survey
This is the core of the "Check" phase for an unresponsive person.
Danger: (Reiterating scene safety for yourself and the victim).
Response: Check if they respond to voice or touch.
Airway: Is their airway clear? Gently tilt their head back and lift their chin to open the airway.
Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for no more than 10 seconds to see if they are breathing normally. Look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, and feel for air on your cheek.
Circulation: Look for any signs of severe, life-threatening bleeding.
Call for Help
Once you have assessed the situation, you need to get professional medical assistance on the way.
Call Emergency Services: In India, dial 108 (ambulance) or 112 (pan-India emergency number). Clearly state your location, the nature of the emergency, the number of people injured, and the condition of the victim(s). Do not hang up until the operator tells you to.
Delegate: If other people are present, point to a specific person and tell them to make the call. This avoids the "bystander effect" where everyone assumes someone else has called.
Care for the Person
After ensuring safety and calling for help, you can now provide care based on the injuries you identified during the "Check" phase. This is where the Three Ps come into play. Your care should be guided by your level of training. Never attempt procedures you are not certified to perform.
The Second Step: The Three Ps of Providing Care
The Three Ps define the objectives of the first aid care you provide. They guide your actions to ensure they are effective and purposeful.
Preserve Life
This is your most critical goal. It involves addressing immediate, life-threatening conditions.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR): If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately. Push hard and fast in the centre of the chest at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
Control Severe Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to the wound with a sterile dressing or clean cloth. If bleeding soaks through, do not remove the pad; add another on top and maintain pressure.
Treat for Shock: Keep the victim lying down, elevate their legs (unless you suspect a spinal injury), and keep them warm with a blanket.
Prevent Deterioration
This goal is about stopping the situation from getting worse.
Immobilisation: If a broken bone is suspected, immobilise the area with a splint to prevent further damage.
Bandaging Wounds: Properly cleaning and dressing wounds prevents infection.
Positioning: Placing a breathing but unresponsive victim in the recovery position helps keep their airway clear and prevents choking on vomit.
Avoiding Further Harm: This includes not giving food or drink to a semi-conscious person (risk of choking) or moving a person with a potential spinal injury unless necessary.
Promote Recovery
This focuses on providing comfort and setting the stage for healing.
Reassurance: Staying calm and talking reassuringly to the victim can reduce their anxiety and panic, which aids their overall condition.
Comfort: Providing warmth, shelter from the elements, and making the victim as comfortable as possible.
Monitoring: Keeping a close watch on the victim's breathing, responsiveness, and condition until professional help takes over.
Essential First Aid Skills Everyone Should Know
While the principles guide you, specific skills are needed to execute them.
How to Perform CPR on Adults?
1. Check for responsiveness and breathing.
2. Call for an ambulance.
3. Kneel beside the person. Place the heel of one hand on the center of their chest. Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers.
4. Perform compressions: With straight arms, push down hard and fast—about 5-6 cm deep—at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
5. Give rescue breaths (if trained): After 30 compressions, tilt the head, lift the chin, pinch the nose, and give 2 breaths, watching for the chest to rise.
6. Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until help arrives or the person starts breathing normally.
Managing Severe Bleeding and Wound Care
1. Wear gloves if available to protect yourself.
2. Apply direct pressure on the wound with a clean pad.
3. Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart, if possible.
4. Apply a bandage to hold the dressing in place. If blood soaks through, add more layers; do not remove the first one.
5. For embedded objects, do not remove them. Apply pressure around the object, not directly on it.
Building a Comprehensive First Aid Kit
You cannot provide effective first aid treatment without the right tools. A well-stocked kit is essential for your home and car. Ensure it includes adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, a CPR face shield, an emergency blanket, and pain relievers. Apollo24|7 offers convenient home collection for tests like blood sugar or haemoglobin, which can be useful for monitoring chronic conditions, but a first aid kit is for acute trauma.
Conclusion
The Three Cs and Three Ps of first aid provide a robust, logical framework that empowers you to act decisively in an emergency. Remember, the goal of a first aider is not to replace professional medical care but to bridge the gap between the incident and the arrival of emergency medical services. By checking the scene, calling for help, and providing appropriate care to preserve life, prevent further injury, and promote recovery, you become a vital link in the chain of survival. We encourage you to take a certified first aid and CPR course to practice these skills hands-on. Remember, if you are ever unsure about the severity of an injury, it is always best to consult a doctor online with Apollo24|7 or seek immediate in-person medical attention. Your knowledge and courage could save a life.
Consult Top Specialists
Consult Top Specialists for Personalised Tips
Dr. Mohamed Azeem
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
2 Years • MBBS,MD(Internal Medicine) CCEBDM
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
Dr P Jagadeesha Chandra
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
37 Years • MBBS, MD
Bengaluru
Apollo Hospitals Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Dr. Thirupathy K S
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MD
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
(75+ Patients)
Dr. Aakash Garg
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DrNB (Gastroentrology).
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
(125+ Patients)
Dr. R Gopakumar
Internal Medicine/ Covid Consultation Specialist
31 Years • MBBS, MD(general medicine
Angamaly
Apollo Hospitals Karukutty, Angamaly
(25+ Patients)
Consult Top Specialists
Dr. Mohamed Azeem
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
2 Years • MBBS,MD(Internal Medicine) CCEBDM
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
Dr P Jagadeesha Chandra
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
37 Years • MBBS, MD
Bengaluru
Apollo Hospitals Jayanagar, Bengaluru
Dr. Thirupathy K S
General Physician/ Internal Medicine Specialist
11 Years • MD
Karaikudi
Apollo Hospitals Karaikudi, Karaikudi
(75+ Patients)
Dr. Aakash Garg
Gastroenterology/gi Medicine Specialist
12 Years • MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DrNB (Gastroentrology).
Bilaspur
Apollo Hospitals Seepat Road, Bilaspur
(125+ Patients)
Dr. R Gopakumar
Internal Medicine/ Covid Consultation Specialist
31 Years • MBBS, MD(general medicine
Angamaly
Apollo Hospitals Karukutty, Angamaly
(25+ Patients)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing I should do in any emergency?
The very first thing is to check the scene for your own safety. Never rush into a dangerous situation where you could also become a casualty. Your ability to help depends on your being safe.
Should I call emergency services even if I'm trained in first aid?
Absolutely yes. Always call for professional help (108 or 112) for any serious injury or medical emergency. First aid is initial care, not a substitute for advanced medical treatment from paramedics and doctors.
What if I'm not sure how to perform a specific first aid technique like CPR?
If you are untrained or unsure, the best thing to do is to call emergency services. The operator can often provide simple instructions over the phone for hands-only CPR or controlling bleeding until help arrives.
How do I handle a situation with multiple injured people?
This is called triage. Quickly scan all victims and prioritise care for those who are unconscious, not breathing, or have severe, life-threatening bleeding. Provide care to the most seriously injured first while directing others to help where they can.
Do the Three Ps always follow the exact order of Preserve, Prevent, Promote?
While the goals are hierarchical (life comes first), in practice, your actions can often address multiple Ps at once. For example, applying pressure to a wound Preserves Life by stopping blood loss and Prevents Deterioration by reducing the risk of shock and infection.