CAB
Abbreviation with 4 meanings
| Stands for | Compressions, airway, breathing |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 4 |
| Categories | Medical, Military |
CAB has four meanings. The most common are Compressions, airway, breathing (emergency medicine) and Combat Action Badge (military award and decoration); it can also stand for Combat Aviation Brigade and Cabotegravir.
Meanings of CAB at a glance
| # | CAB stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Compressions, airway, breathing | Medical › Emergency Medicine |
| 2 | Combat Action Badge | Military › Military Award and Decoration |
| 3 | Combat Aviation Brigade | Military › Military Unit and Organization |
| 4 | Cabotegravir | Medical › Drug |
1. Compressions, airway, breathing
Medical · Emergency Medicine Abbreviations
Sequence for adult CPR introduced by the American Heart Association in 2010, starting chest compressions before opening the airway and giving breaths, to minimize delays in blood flow.
Example: CAB sequence: 30 compressions, open airway, 2 breaths.
The change from ABC to CAB reflected evidence that early compressions matter most in sudden cardiac arrest. Newborn resuscitation still prioritizes ventilation because newborn arrests are usually respiratory. The European Resuscitation Council uses similar compression-first teaching.
2. Combat Action Badge
Military · Military Award and Decoration Abbreviations
Awarded to US Army soldiers of any branch who personally engaged or were engaged by the enemy in combat, for those not eligible for the Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical Badge.
Example: The truck driver received the CAB after his convoy was ambushed.
Created in 2005 and retroactive to September 18, 2001, it reflected the nonlinear battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, where support troops often came under fire. In unit usage, CAB means combat aviation brigade.
3. Combat Aviation Brigade
Military · Military Unit and Organization Abbreviations
Army aviation brigade assigned to a division, operating AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopters and drones to support ground forces with attack, lift and medical evacuation.
Example: The 101st CAB flew the brigade's soldiers across the river in a night air assault.
Each active Army division has a combat aviation brigade, while the National Guard fields additional ones. Each is commanded by a colonel, though most of its pilots are warrant officers. In awards, CAB also means the Combat Action Badge.
4. Cabotegravir
Medical · Drug Abbreviations
Integrase inhibitor available as a long-acting injection for HIV prevention (Apretude, every two months) and, combined with rilpivirine (Cabenuva), for HIV treatment every one or two months, replacing daily pills for some patients.
Example: CAB-LA 600 mg IM gluteal q2 months for PrEP; HIV RNA before each injection.
Often written CAB-LA for the long-acting form. In the HPTN 083 and 084 trials, injectable cabotegravir prevented more HIV infections than daily oral TDF/FTC, and both products were approved in 2021. Drug levels persist for a year or more after the last injection, so missed doses can allow resistance. In emergency care CAB means compressions, airway, breathing.
Related abbreviations
More emergency medicine abbreviations
- BIBEMS – Brought in by emergency medical services
- BLS – Basic life support
- BSI – Body substance isolation
- BVM – Bag-valve-mask
- CCT – Critical care transport
- CMO – Comfort measures only
- CPR – Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- CPSS – Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
See all 97 emergency medicine abbreviations →
More military award and decoration abbreviations
- AFEM – Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- ARCOM – Army Commendation Medal
- ASR – Army Service Ribbon
- BSM – Bronze Star Medal
- CAR – Combat Action Ribbon
- CIB – Combat Infantryman Badge
- CMB – Combat Medical Badge
- DFC – Distinguished Flying Cross
See all 37 military award and decoration abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.