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1-1. DEFINITIONS

Some of the terms used in this subcourse are defined below.

a. Casualty. The casualty is the person with the medical problem, such as a person who is not breathing. When being treated by medical personnel, the casualty may be referred to as a patient.

b. Rescuer. The rescuer is the person who is assisting the casualty; for example, the person giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a casualty who is not breathing. In this subcourse, you are the rescuer.

c. Airway. The airway consists of the body structures through which air from the atmosphere passes while going to the lungs.

d. Sign. A sign is anything that the rescuer can tell about the casualty's condition by using his (the rescuer's) own senses. For example, a rescuer can see the casualty's chest rise and fall, hear the sounds made by a casualty when he breathes, and feel the casualty's pulse.

e. Symptom. A symptom is any change from the norm which is felt by the casualty but which cannot be directly or objectively sensed by the rescuer. Examples of symptoms felt by the casualty include chest pain, nausea, and headache. An injury can produce both signs and symptoms. If you bump your leg against a chair, for example, a bruise may develop. The bruise is a sign of the injury since other people can see the bruise. The pain you feel is a symptom since other people cannot feel your pain.

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