Emergency response guide Aligned with HSA first-aid guidance

Emergency response: how to act in the first vital minutes.

When someone collapses, chokes or bleeds heavily, the first few minutes decide the outcome. Learn the DRSABCD primary survey - the calm, step-by-step method trained first aiders use to assess any casualty, start CPR, use an AED and call 112 or 999 without panic.

Start training €33 Learn more
DRSABCD method
Aligned with HSA guidance
Easy to follow
Covered in course
The primary survey

A calm, systematic way to respond to any emergency.

DRSABCD keeps you focused under pressure so you treat the most life-threatening problems first and never miss a vital step.

  • Check for Danger before you approach
  • Check the casualty's Response
  • Send for help - call 112 or 999
  • Start CPR and use an AED if needed
Emergency response included
€33 · full course
The method

What is the DRSABCD primary survey?

A clear, ordered approach that helps you assess any casualty safely and treat the most urgent problems first.

D

Danger

Check the scene is safe for you, the casualty and bystanders before you approach. Never become a second casualty.

R

Response

Check if the casualty responds to your voice and a gentle shake of the shoulders. No response means you must act fast.

B

Breathing

Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin, then look, listen and feel for normal breathing for ten seconds.

C

CPR & AED

If breathing is absent or not normal, start CPR with 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths, and use an AED as soon as it arrives.

Why it matters

Why fast, confident emergency response saves lives.

In a cardiac arrest, survival falls by around 10% for every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation. An ambulance cannot always reach a casualty in those first few minutes - but a trained colleague can. That is why effective emergency response in the workplace is so important.

Most people freeze in an emergency because they are not sure what to do. The DRSABCD primary survey removes that uncertainty. It gives you a simple sequence to follow so you can stay calm, take control, and give the casualty the best possible chance until the emergency services arrive.

You do not need to be a paramedic to save a life. You need a clear plan, the confidence to act, and the willingness to start.
Common emergencies

Emergencies you may need to respond to.

The same DRSABCD approach helps you take charge whatever the emergency in front of you.

01

Cardiac arrest

Recognise it fast, start high-quality CPR straight away, and use an AED the moment one is available.

02

Choking

Give up to five back blows between the shoulder blades, then abdominal thrusts, to clear a blocked airway.

03

Severe bleeding

Apply firm direct pressure, add dressings, and use a tourniquet for catastrophic limb bleeding.

04

Unconscious casualty

If they are breathing but unresponsive, place them in the recovery position and keep monitoring their breathing.

05

Shock and burns

Lay a casualty in shock down and keep them warm. Cool a burn under running water for at least 20 minutes.

06

Heart attack and stroke

Spot chest pain and the FAST signs of stroke early, reassure the casualty, and call 112 or 999 without delay.

A step-by-step guide to DRSABCD

D - Danger

Before you do anything, make sure the scene is safe. Look for traffic, electricity, fire, chemicals, machinery or anything that could harm you, the casualty or bystanders.

  • Switch off or isolate any obvious hazard if it is safe to do so.
  • Do not put yourself at risk - you cannot help if you become a casualty too.
  • Only move the casualty if leaving them puts them in greater danger.
  • Protect yourself with gloves if they are available.

R - Response

Check whether the casualty responds. Speak clearly and gently shake their shoulders, asking a simple question such as "Can you hear me?".

  • If they respond, reassure them and find out what is wrong.
  • If there is no response, they need urgent help - move quickly to the next steps.
  • Shout for assistance from anyone nearby.

S - Send for help

Call 112 or 999, or have a bystander call while you stay with the casualty. Ask someone to fetch the nearest AED.

  • If you are alone, put your phone on speaker so you can give first aid while you talk.
  • Give a clear location and a brief description of what has happened.
  • Do not hang up until the call handler tells you to.

A - Airway

Open the airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin. Look inside the mouth and remove any obvious obstruction you can see.

B - Breathing

Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for up to ten seconds. Occasional gasps are not normal breathing and you should treat the casualty as not breathing.

Remember: if the casualty is not breathing normally, do not wait. Begin CPR immediately - early CPR and defibrillation give the best chance of survival.

C - CPR

Give 30 chest compressions in the centre of the chest, pushing hard and fast to a depth of 5 to 6 cm at about 100 to 120 per minute, followed by 2 rescue breaths. Keep the cycle going without stopping until help takes over.

D - Defibrillation

Attach an AED as soon as one arrives and follow the spoken prompts exactly. Modern AEDs are safe and will only advise a shock if one is needed.

After the emergency

Once the emergency services take over, your job is not quite finished:

  1. Hand over clearly - explain what happened, the casualty's condition, and any first aid you gave.
  2. Record the incident - complete an incident report while the details are fresh.
  3. Check your first aid kit - restock anything you used so it is ready for next time.
  4. Look after yourself - responding to an emergency can be stressful, so talk it through afterwards.
FAQs

Emergency response questions.

Common questions about responding to a workplace emergency in Ireland.

What is the DRSABCD primary survey?
DRSABCD is a simple, ordered way to assess and treat a casualty in an emergency. It stands for Danger, Response, Send for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation. Following it in order means you deal with the most life-threatening problems first. Our First Aid Course teaches you to apply DRSABCD with confidence.
When should I call 112 or 999 during an emergency?
Call 112 or 999 straight away for any serious emergency - an unconscious casualty, no normal breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, choking that does not clear, a suspected stroke, or a severe allergic reaction. If you are alone, put the phone on speaker so you can start first aid while you talk to the call handler.
Do I need first aid training to respond to a workplace emergency?
Anyone can help in an emergency, but trained first aiders respond faster and more effectively. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007, employers must provide first-aid cover suited to the risks in the workplace. Trained first aiders give a casualty the best possible chance while the emergency services are on their way.
What should I do after the emergency services arrive?
Give a clear handover: what happened, when it started, the casualty's condition, any first aid you gave such as CPR or an AED shock, and any medication involved. Then record the incident. Good handover and accurate incident reporting help the casualty get the right care and support workplace safety reviews.
Is emergency response covered in your First Aid Course?
Yes. Our online First Aid Course covers the full DRSABCD primary survey, CPR and AED use, bleeding control, choking, the recovery position, shock, burns, seizures, anaphylaxis, and recognising heart attack and stroke. You learn how to respond calmly to any workplace emergency and hand over to the emergency services.

Learn emergency response and more in our First Aid Course.

Master the DRSABCD primary survey, CPR and AED use, and confident casualty care. Complete your training in just 90 minutes.

Enrol now €33 View course details
Related resources

Explore more.

Go deeper into first aid, CPR and confident emergency response.

First Aid Course

Complete online training with instant certification.

Learn more

What Is First Aid?

Introduction to first aid concepts.

Learn more

Workplace Emergency Prevention

Be ready before an emergency happens.

Learn more

Employers Guide

Your first-aid responsibilities at work.

Learn more

CPR and AED Techniques

How to give CPR and use a defibrillator.

Learn more

Refresher Training

Update your skills and certification.

Learn more
Coverage · Ireland nationwide

First Aid Training, everywhere you work.

One CPD Certified, RoSPA Approved and aligned with the HSA Guide to Workplace First Aid, fully compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 First Aid Course - delivered online to every Irish city, every industry and every role. Instant First Aid Certificate on passing, valid for 2 years nationwide.

Renewing? Use our fast First Aid Refresher. Looking for formally recognised training? See our First Aid HSA page. Need the basics first? Start with what First Aid actually is and the workplace first-aid risk assessment.

Find your city

Every major Irish city has its own dedicated First Aid Course page - same compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 training, tuned to your local workforce.

Find your industry

Eight sector variants, from healthcare to farming, with real Irish workplace scenarios specific to your day-to-day.

Healthcare & HSE

Nurses, care assistants, porters, paramedics and home carers across every Irish health service.

Warehousing & logistics

Pickers, packers, forklift operators, couriers and distribution centre staff lifting daily.

Retail & supermarkets

Shop floor teams, stockroom workers and delivery drivers in stores and shopping centres.

Construction & trades

Labourers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and plant operators on every Irish site.

Manufacturing

Production line, assembly, quality control and maintenance in pharma, food and medtech.

Hospitality & hospitality

workplace, housekeeping, maintenance and event teams across hotels and venues.

Office & administration

Office teams handling deliveries, IT equipment, file boxes and furniture moves.

Agriculture & farming

Farm workers, livestock handlers, agricultural contractors and seasonal crews.

Every First Aid resource

Training, certification, refresher, online delivery and specialist guides - one accredited Irish platform, one consistent standard.

First Aid Course Full compliant with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 syllabus, video modules, short assessment and instant certificate - 90 minutes, any device. Explore course First Aid Training Why training matters, Irish employer duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 (the First-Aid Regulations), and what good training looks like. Learn more First Aid Certificate How the certificate is issued, how long it lasts, and how Irish employers verify it online at any time. See certificate First Aid Online Flexible online delivery on phone, tablet or desktop - the same Fire-authority aligned standards on any device. Go online First Aid Refresher Renew your First Aid Cert in 90 minutes with the latest Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and HSA guidance - verifiable for a fresh 2-year cycle. Refresh now First Aid HSA How HSA, CPD and RoSPA accreditation work together in Ireland - and what employers actually recognise. See accreditation

Popular First Aid searches

Exact-match phrases Irish workers and employers search for - each one links to the right page on our site.

Courses
First Aid Course Ireland First Aid Training Ireland First Aid Course Online 90-minute First Aid Course Team First Aid Training
Certificates
First Aid Certificate Ireland First Aid Cert Instant First Aid Certificate First Aid Refresher Online
Accreditation
First Aid HSA-aligned Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 Compliant First Aid RoSPA First Aid safe response practices What is First Aid?
By city
First Aid Dublin First Aid Cork First Aid Galway First Aid Limerick First Aid Waterford First Aid Wexford First Aid Kilkenny First Aid Drogheda First Aid Dundalk First Aid Swords First Aid Tallaght First Aid Blanchardstown First Aid Bray