Basic first aid: unconsciousness
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how to help an unconscious casualty including the recovery position, CPR and AED use.
Key learning points
- Assessing an unconscious casualty involves checking for danger, airways, breathing and circulation (ABC).
- The recovery position helps maintain an open airway for an unconscious casualty.
- CPR involves chest compressions and rescue breaths to maintain circulation and breathing.
- Defibrillators (AEDs) can restore normal heart rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest.
Keywords
Cardiac arrest - a medical condition where the heart stops beating unexpectedly, requiring immediate medical attention
Recovery position - a safe way to lay an unconscious person on their side to keep their airway open
Casualty - a person who is in need of medical attention due to injury or illness
CPR - stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a life-saving technique used when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, usually combining chest compressions with artificial ventilation
AED - an Automated External Defibrillator is a portable device that checks heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm
Common misconception
The recovery position is used for all unresponsive casualties.
The recovery position is not suitable for casualties who are gasping for breath or have irregular breathing, which may indicate cardiac arrest.
Teacher tip
Use the AED websites to demonstrate to pupils how to locate their closest ones and also to suggest doing this when they go to other areas of the UK.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the first steps you should take when someone shows signs of anaphylactic shock?
Q2.Which of these does not cause a scald?
Q3.You should always seek medical attention for a burn if it is ...
Q4.Which of the following should you never put on a burn?
Q5.Match the words to the definitions.
to restrict movement to prevent further injury
an injury where ligaments around a joint get overstretched or torn
a blockage of the airway that prevents normal breathing
immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or ill
a condition where the body cannot regulate its temperature properly
practices to maintain health and prevent disease
Q6.Order the steps to manage a cut that is bleeding.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to the correct definitions.
a way to lay an unconscious person on their side to open their airway
a person who is in need of medical attention due to injury or illness
a medical condition where the heart stops beating unexpectedly
when someone is not awake and is not responding to their environment
Q2.Put these first aid steps when assessing a casualty into the correct order.
Q3.What is agonal breathing?
Q4.The recovery position should be used for ...
Q5.Order the steps for using an AED.
Q6.What does AED stand for?
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Basic first aid: unconsciousness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Basic first aid: unconsciousness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 RSHE (PSHE) lessons from the Staying safe and healthy: What do I need to know about basic first aid? unit, dive into the full secondary RSHE (PSHE) curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.