# First Aid/Appendix A: Glossary
## Abrasion

    A superficial wound in which the topmost layers of the skin are scraped off

## ABCs

    Airway, breathing and circulation

## AED

    Automated External Defibrillator

## Airway

    The passages which transfer air from the outside environment to the lungs; the tracha, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli

## Artery

    A blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart; contains oxygen-rich, high-pressure blood in the systemic cardiorespiratory system

## Avulsion

    A tearing away of a section of skin from the layers of tissue beneath it

## Bystander

    Any person, trained or untrained, who assists in an emergency situation, but not as part of a duty of employment

## Capillary

    The smallest blood vessels in the body; the skin is rife with capillaries

## Carotid artery

    The main artery providing blood supply to the head.The carotid artery is the largest artery shown here; click for a larger version.

## Causation

    Determination of whether the defendant's actions are causally linked to any harm

## Circulation

    The movement of blood throughout the body; performed by the heart

## Consciousness (level of)

    A state of awareness or lack thereof

## Consent

    A legal condition whereby a person can be said to have given consent based upon an appreciation and understanding of the facts and implications of an action

## CPR

    Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

## Cyanosis

    The bluish coloration of the skin due to the presence of deoxygenated blood near the skin surface; occurs when the oxygen saturation of arterial blood falls below 85%

## Defibrillation

    Delivering a therapeutic dose of electrical energy to the affected heart with a device called a defibrillator

## Diabetes

    a disease causing an inability to regulate the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood

## Distal

    The point on a limb furthest from its point of attachment to the body

## Duty of care

    A legal obligation imposed on an individual requiring that they exercise a reasonable standard of care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others

## EMS

    Emergency Medical System or Emergency Medical Services

## History

    One of the 3 parts of a secondary survey

## Hypoxia

    A condition in which insufficient oxygen reaches body tissue

## Incision

    A clean cut caused by a sharp-edged object

## Insulin

    a hormone that allows glucose to travel from the bloodstream into the cells

## Laceration

    Irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue which lies over hard tissue; tearing of skin

## Landmark

    The location of compressions; on the midline of the chest, even with the nipples

## Liability

    A legal doctrine that makes a person responsible for the damage and loss caused by their acts and omissions regardless of culpability; the requirements to prove liability are a)a duty of care exists b)the standard of care was breached c)causation exists

## Myocardial Infarction

    Heart attack; bleeding or blockage cuts off blood flow to part of the heart muscle

## Nailbed

    The tissue under the nail; pinching the nail and observing the blood return to the nailbed is a good test of circulation at that location

## Oedema (Edema)

    Swelling in the lower legs and ankles. Oedema is caused by a fluid build-up in the body.

## Proximal

    The point on a limb closest to its point of attachment to the body

## Puncture

    A wound caused by an object puncturing the skin

## Semi-prone position

    A position which keeps the tongue from obstructing the airway and allows any fluids to drain from the mouth (aka recovery position)

## Standard of Care

    The degree of prudence and caution required of an individual who is under a duty of care; the requirements of the standard are closely dependent on circumstances

## Tachycardia

    A rapid pulse generally a pulse over 100 at rest

## Vein

    A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart; most veins carry low-oxygen blood