ASTM F1453-92(2020)

Standard Guide for Training and Evaluation of First Responders Who Provide Emergency Medical Care

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is for those responsible for the development and implementation of training and evaluation programs for first responders (FRs).  
4.2 At the beginning of the program, students shall be informed of the course objectives and requirements for successful completion.  
4.3 This guide is not intended for use as a training guide for emergency ambulance personnel.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the minimum training standards for First Responders (FRs) who may be responsible for the initial care of sick and injured persons of all ages in the prehospital environment.  
1.2 The scope of training will be in accordance with Guide F1287.  
1.3 Included in this guide is a standard for knowledge and skill evaluation.  
1.4 This guide does not suggest a particular training sequence.  
1.5 Operating within the framework of this guide may expose emergency medical service personnel to hazardous materials, procedures and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see the documents cited in 2.2.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2020
• ICS: 11.160 - First aid
• Technical Committee: F30 - Emergency Medical Services
• Drafting Committee: F30.02 - Personnel, Training and Education

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F1031-00(2012) - Standard Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM F1177-02(2009) - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services (Withdrawn 2018)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2009
• Refers: ASTM F1031-00(2006) - Standard Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2006
• Refers: ASTM F1177-02 - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-2002
• Refers: ASTM F1031-00 - Standard Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
• Effective Date: 10-Oct-2000
• Refers: ASTM F1177-96a - Standard Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Services
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996

Overview

ASTM F1453-92(2020), Standard Guide for Training and Evaluation of First Responders Who Provide Emergency Medical Care, sets forth the minimum training and evaluation requirements for first responders (FRs) delivering initial emergency care in prehospital settings. Developed by ASTM International, this guide is intended for professionals responsible for establishing and implementing effective training and assessment programs for first responders and does not replace training standards for emergency ambulance personnel.

This guide is internationally recognized and aligns with globally accepted standardization principles as outlined by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. It addresses the essential knowledge and skill sets necessary for first responders, emphasizing competency in patient assessment, emergency interventions, and safe operational procedures.

Key Topics

The standard covers critical areas to ensure first responders are adequately prepared to provide emergency medical care:

• Program Structure

  • Communicating course objectives and completion requirements to students.
  • Incorporating knowledge and skills evaluation into training.

• Minimum Training Standards

  • Determining and recording vital signs.
  • Conducting primary and secondary patient assessments.
  • Performing basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS/CPR).
  • Managing bleeding, shock, burns, and musculoskeletal injuries.
  • Utilizing mechanical aids such as airway management and oxygen delivery devices.

• Special Interventions

  • Responding to medical emergencies such as respiratory distress, diabetic episodes, seizures, poisoning, and childbirth.
  • Applying triage methods at multiple casualty incidents.
  • Caring for patients across all age groups and those with special needs.

• Safety and Legal Considerations

  • Understanding medicolegal responsibilities, documentation, and Good Samaritan laws.
  • Operating safely with hazardous materials and equipment.
  • Communicating patient information effectively during transfer of care.

• Performance and Evaluation

  • Final written and practical evaluations with clear pass/fail or grading criteria.
  • Remediation and retesting protocols for trainees.

Applications

The ASTMF1453-92(2020) standard guide is practical for a range of organizations and individuals, including:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agencies

  • Establishing or updating first responder training programs based on internationally recognized best practices.
  • Aligning personnel evaluation processes with established competency benchmarks.

• Training Providers and Educators

  • Designing curriculum that encompasses comprehensive prehospital emergency care topics.
  • Structuring assessment tools to ensure proficiency in both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills.

• Regulatory and Oversight Bodies

  • Benchmarking training programs for compliance and quality assurance.
  • Referencing international standards for certification or accreditation of first responder training.

• Occupational Health & Safety Managers

  • Integrating first responder training into broader organizational emergency preparedness strategies.
  • Ensuring that personnel are equipped to handle a wide array of health emergencies and hazardous scenarios safely.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive emergency medical training and operational framework, the following related standards and regulations are referenced within or complement ASTM F1453-92(2020):

• ASTM F1287 - Guide for Scope of Performance of First Responders Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
• ASTM F1031 - Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic)
• Relevant Code of Federal Regulations
  • 29 CFR 1910.1030: Bloodborne Pathogens
  • 29 CFR 1910.120: Hazardous Materials Emergency Response & Training
  • 29 CFR 1910.132: Personal Protective Equipment
  • 21 CFR Part 331.000: Registration of Medical Devices
• Guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) - Current standards for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiac Care
• WTO TBT Principles - Alignment with internationally recognized standardization protocols

Keywords: first responder training, emergency medical care, first responder evaluation, prehospital care, BLS, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, EMS standards, ASTM F1453, triage, emergency response training.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1453 − 92 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Guide for
Training and Evaluation of First Responders Who Provide
Emergency Medical Care
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1453; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F1177 Terminology Relating to Emergency Medical Ser-
vices (Withdrawn 2018)
1.1 This guide covers the minimum training standards for
F1287 Guide for Scope of Performance of First Responders
First Responders (FRs) who may be responsible for the initial
Who Provide Emergency Medical Care
care of sick and injured persons of all ages in the prehospital
environment. 2.2 Code of Federal Regulations:
Part 1910.1030 of Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regula-
1.2 The scope of training will be in accordance with Guide
tions Concerning Bloodborne Pathogens
F1287.
Part 1910.120 ofTitle 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations
1.3 Included in this guide is a standard for knowledge and
Concerning Hazardous Materials Emergency Response &
skill evaluation.
Training
1.4 This guide does not suggest a particular training se- Part 1910.132 ofTitle 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Concerning Personal Protective Equipment
quence.
Part 331.000 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations
1.5 Operating within the framework of this guide may
Concerning Registration of Medical Devices
expose emergency medical service personnel to hazardous
materials, procedures and equipment. This standard does not 2.3 Other Documents:
purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated Most recent Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care as reprinted
to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental from the Journal of the American Medical Association
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- (JAMA)
tions prior to use. For specific precautionary statements, see
the documents cited in 2.2. 3. Terminology
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
(BLS/CPR)—a set of skills that includes airway management,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
chest compressions, and others as defined by the American
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Heart Association (AHA).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.2 first responder (FR)—an individual trained to provide
initial care for sick or injured persons in accordance with this
2. Referenced Documents
guide.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1031 Practice for Training the Emergency Medical Tech-
4. Significance and Use
nician (Basic)
4.1 This guide is for those responsible for the development
and implementation of training and evaluation programs for
1 first responders (FRs).
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F30 on Emergency
Medical Services and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F30.02 on
Personnel, Training and Education.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2020. Published November 2020. Originally
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as F1453 – 92 (2012). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/F1453-92R20. www.astm.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, Bldg. 4 Section D, 700
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Attn: NPODS.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Heart Association (AHA), 7272 Greenville Ave.,
the ASTM website. Dallas, TX 75231, http://www.americanheart.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1453 − 92 (2020)
4.2 At the beginning of the program, students shall be 5.1.10.1 Use available mechanical devices to ensure the
informed of the course objectives and requirements for suc- maintenance of an open airway.
cessful completion.
5.1.10.2 Use available mechanical devices to assist ventila-
tion.
4.3 This guide is not intended for use as a training guide for
5.1.10.3 Use available oxygen delivery equipment.
emergency ambulance personnel.
5.1.10.4 Use available suction equipment.
5.1.11 Secondary Assessment:
5. Required Performance Objectives
5.1.11.1 Conduct a methodical head-to-toe physical exami-
5.1 The FR shall be trained to perform the following skills.
nation to discover conditions not found during the primary
Theseskillsarenotnecessarilylistedintheorderinwhichthey
assessment.
aretobetaughtorthatinwhichtheymayhavetobeperformed
5.1.11.2 Interview the sick or injured person to obtain facts
during the prehospital care of a sick or injured person.
relevant to the person’s condition.
5.1.1 Roles and Responsibilities—Describeanddemonstrate
5.1.11.3 Interview co-workers, witnesses, family members,
an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the FR for
or other individuals to obtain facts relevant to the person’s
the provision of prehospital emergency care within the local
condition.
emergency medical services (EMS) system.
5.1.12 Musculoskeletal Injuries:
5.1.2 Medicolegal Aspects—Describe and demonstrate an
5.1.12.1 Identify the various types of musculoskeletal inju-
understanding of the medicolegal aspects of a FR’s provision
ries.
of emergency medical care in the jurisdiction having authority,
5.1.12.2 Immobilize and otherwise care for suspected
including, but not limited to, duty to act, standard of care,
fractures, dislocations, sprains, and strains with available
consent to care, forcible restraint, abandonment,
equipment.
documentation, and any applicable Good Samaritan Laws.
5.1.13 Spine Injuries:
5.1.3 Vital Signs and Other Indicators of a Sick or Injured
5.1.13.1 Determine the likelihood of a spinal injury on the
Person’s Condition—Determine and record vital signs exhib-
basis of the patient assessment and an observation of a
ited by a sick or injured person, including pulse, respiration,
mechanism of injury.
skin color, temperature and moistness, level of consciousness,
5.1.13.2 Perform manual spinal stabilization.
and an estimate of blood pressure.
5.1.13.3 Immobilize a person who has a suspected spinal
5.1.4 Emergency Medical Identification—Identify the most
injury with available equipment.
commonly used medical identification devices and apply the
5.1.14 Emergency Evacuation—Alone or with a partner, use
information contained on or in the device to patient assessment
the most appropriate assist, drag, or carry to move a sick or
and patient care procedures.
injured person from a dangerous location to a safe place.
5.1.5 Primary Assessment—Conduct an assessment for
5.1.15 Patient Transfer—Use an available patient-carrying
problems that are a threat to life if not corrected immediately,
method or device to move a sick or injured person from the
including an inadequate airway, inadequate respirations, inad-
place of initial care to the location of transport.
equate circulation, and profuse bleeding, using spinal precau-
5.1.16 Non-Traumatic Chest Pain:
tions as appropri
...