Consent refers to the permission or agreement given by a casualty to receive treatment from you. In the context of first aid, it’s essential to obtain consent from a casualty whenever possible before administering treatment. Providing treatment without the person’s consent could be considered assault. There are two (2) types of consent:

• Implied consent: This occurs when the casualty is unconscious or unable to communicate in a language you understand, preventing them from giving expressed consent.
• Expressed consent: This involves obtaining oral or written permission from a conscious casualty who requires first aid treatment.

Additional notes:

If the casualty is under 18 years old, implied consent is assumed, but whenever feasible, obtain consent from a parent or legal guardian.

In settings like childcare or education centres, parental or caregiver consent is typically obtained in written form during enrolment.

When a casualty cannot verbally communicate, pay attention to their body language and other nonverbal cues. If they don’t allow you to help, consider it as a refusal (“NO”).

Every individual has the right to REFUSE treatment.