Ever wondered how first aiders know when someone needs serious medical help? There’s actually a simple memory tool called COWS that can help anyone – figure out if someone needs urgent medical attention. While there are many first aid acronyms out there, COWS is one of the most helpful yet often overlooked tools for checking if someone is responsive.
Why Do We Need to Check if Someone is Responsive?
Before we get into COWS, let’s talk about why checking responsiveness is so important. When someone is unwell or injured, knowing if they can respond to you helps determine if they need immediate help like CPR. It’s not just about checking if someone is awake or not – there are different levels of responsiveness, and COWS helps us spot these differences quickly.
What is COWS and How Does it Work?
COWS is a step-by-step way to check how well someone can respond to you. Let’s break it down:
C – Can you hear me?
First, speak to the person in a clear, loud voice. Say something like “Hello! Can you hear me?” This is often enough to get a response from someone who might just be dazed or briefly unconscious.
O – Open your eyes
Ask them to open their eyes. Watch carefully – they might open their eyes fully, or their eyes might just flutter. Any eye movement is important to notice.
W – What’s your name?
Ask them to tell you their name. This helps you check if they can understand you and speak back. But remember – someone might not be able to speak but could still respond in other ways!
S – Squeeze my hand
Place your hand in theirs and ask them to squeeze it. This simple action can tell you a lot about how well they can understand and respond to instructions.
Why COWS Works So Well
COWS is brilliant because:
- It’s easy to remember (just think of the animal!)
- It gives you clear steps to follow when you might be nervous
- It helps you notice different types of responses
- It tells you if someone needs immediate help like CPR
Real-Life Examples of Using COWS
Example 1: The Office Incident
Sarah is at work when her colleague Tom suddenly slumps in his chair and falls to the ground She uses COWS:
- He responds to her voice with a mumble
- His eyes open slowly when asked
- His speech is unclear, but he’s trying to talk
- He can squeeze her hand weakly
Because Tom is showing some responses but seems confused, Sarah knows he needs medical help right away. She calls an ambulance and stays with him, continuing to check his responses while waiting for help.
Example 2: The Car Accident
After a car accident, a driver is still in their seat. Using COWS:
- They don’t respond to voice
- Their eyes flutter slightly when asked to open them
- They can’t speak
Although their was eye fluttering, the response is so limited that the first aider must treat the person as if they are unconscious. They Call 000 and move onto checking the airway and breathing.
Example 3: The Sports Ground Emergency
During a football game, a player collapses. A spectator uses COWS:
- No response to voice
- No eye opening
- No response to name
- No hand squeeze
Because there are no responses at all, they know this is serious. They immediately:
- Ask someone to call an ambulance
- Check if the player is breathing
- Start CPR if there’s no breathing
Keeping Track of Changes
One of the most important things about COWS is that you should keep checking! Someone’s responses might get better or worse while you’re waiting for help. Any changes are important to notice and tell the ambulance when they arrive.
Important Things to Remember
- Always make sure it’s safe to approach someone before using COWS
- Call 000 if someone is unresponsive or you’re worried about their responses
- Don’t move someone unless they’re in danger
- Any response, even a small one, is important information
- Keep checking responses while waiting for help
Want to Learn More?
While COWS is a great tool to know, it’s even better when you learn it hands-on with proper training. At CPR Course Brisbane, we teach you COWS and many other life-saving skills in a friendly, supportive environment.
Our courses:
- Are nationally recognised
- Include lots of practice time
- Are taught by experienced trainers
- Give you confidence to help in emergencies
Ready to learn COWS and other first aid skills properly?
Hi there! I'm Jack Majlinger. I began my first aid journey back in 2012, with my first "first aid" course. It was after a hiking accident where a friend had to be airlifted. Over the years, my first aid skills grew, I volunteered at equestrian events and local shows and became a first aid trainer.
When I'm not working on content, I enjoy spotting birds in the wild and writing jangle pop tunes.