First aid ABC's stand for?

• A. Airways, Breathing, Cardiac
• B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
• C. Airways, Breathing, Circulation
• D. Airway, Breathing, Cardiac

Answer: (C)

Airway, Breathing, Circulation reflects the order of life‑saving priorities in basic first aid for pets. Start by ensuring the airway is open and unobstructed so air can reach the lungs. If the animal isn’t breathing, you address breathing next—check for breaths and provide rescue breaths as needed. Only after the airway is open and breathing is established do you assess and support circulation, such as checking for a pulse and, if necessary, starting chest compressions or other interventions to keep blood flowing.

Note the standard wording uses the singular Airway. “Airways” isn’t the conventional term in this sequence, and “Cardiac” isn’t used in the ABC order—Circulation is the intended concept here. This trio—Airway, Breathing, Circulation—is the widely taught foundation for assessing and responding to emergencies in cats and dogs.