FirstAid

First aid is the initial assistance provided to someone who is injured or suddenly ill before professional medical care is available. Its goals are to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery by providing basic, temporary care and arranging for further treatment.

Effective first aid follows a simple sequence often summarized as ensuring scene safety, obtaining consent, summoning professional help as needed, and assessing the person’s airway, breathing, and circulation. Trained responders use basic techniques such as controlling bleeding with direct pressure, immobilizing suspected fractures, and covering wounds to reduce infection risk, while monitoring the person and reassessing as conditions change.

Key steps in an emergency include starting CPR with chest compressions if the person is unresponsive and not breathing, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as it becomes available. For other injuries, apply direct pressure to bleeding, immobilize suspected fractures, and cool burns with running water. For choking, follow age-appropriate maneuvers. Seek professional help for poisoning, head injuries, or conditions beyond your training. Act within your training, obtain consent when possible, and be aware that Good Samaritan laws vary by jurisdiction. First aid education and certification are commonly offered by organizations such as the Red Cross or similar institutions, and ongoing training helps responders stay current with guidelines.