What do the letters ABC in first aid stand for? They stand for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

Quick Scoop

In first aid, A means checking that the person’s airway is open, B means checking breathing , and C means checking circulation. This mnemonic is used to help responders remember the basic priorities in an emergency.

In plain words

  • Airway: Make sure nothing is blocking the mouth or throat.
  • Breathing: Check whether the person is breathing normally.
  • Circulation: Look for signs that blood is being pumped around the body; some modern guidance focuses more on starting CPR quickly if the person is not breathing.

Note

Some training materials also use DRS ABC or CAB in CPR-related situations, but the classic first-aid ABC still means Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

TL;DR: ABC in first aid = Airway, Breathing, Circulation.