First aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly ill before professional medical help arrives. In emergencies, the minutes before paramedics arrive can be critical. Knowing basic first aid enables you to stabilize injuries, prevent conditions from worsening, and potentially save lives.
During disasters or widespread emergencies, professional medical services may be delayed or overwhelmed. Basic first aid knowledge becomes even more valuable when you cannot rely on immediate professional response. Being able to handle common injuries provides significant resilience.
This guide covers fundamental first aid skills. It is educational information intended to help you understand basics and motivate formal training. It is not a substitute for hands-on first aid certification courses, which we strongly encourage. For serious medical emergencies, always call emergency services.
First Aid Priorities
When encountering an emergency, follow a systematic approach to ensure safety and effective response.
Scene safety first. Ensure the scene is safe for you to approach. You cannot help others if you become a victim. Check for hazards like traffic, fire, electrical dangers, or ongoing threats.
Call for help. For serious emergencies, call emergency services (911 in US, 112 in EU) immediately or direct someone specific to call. Early activation of professional response improves outcomes.
Primary assessment: Check if the person is responsive. Tap their shoulder and ask loudly if they are okay. If unresponsive, check for breathing. Look for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, feel for air movement.
Life-threatening conditions first. Address conditions that will kill quickly: no breathing/no pulse (CPR needed), severe bleeding, and blocked airway. These take priority over all other injuries.
Then address other injuries in order of severity once life-threatening conditions are handled or ruled out.
Controlling Bleeding
Severe bleeding can be life-threatening. Controlling bleeding is a critical first aid skill.
Direct pressure is the primary method for most wounds. Apply firm pressure directly to the wound using a clean cloth, gauze, or even your hand if nothing else is available. Maintain steady pressure for at least 10 to 15 minutes without lifting to check.
Elevate the injured area above the heart if possible while maintaining pressure. This reduces blood flow to the area.
Pressure bandages maintain pressure when you need free hands or have multiple injuries to address. Apply a pad over the wound and wrap firmly with bandage or cloth.
Tourniquets are appropriate for severe, life-threatening limb bleeding that direct pressure cannot control. Apply 2 to 3 inches above the wound (not on joints), tighten until bleeding stops, and note the time applied. Tourniquets cause tissue damage if left too long but save lives when needed. Modern guidance accepts their use for severe hemorrhage.
When bleeding stops, do not remove the dressing as this may restart bleeding. Add more material on top if blood soaks through.
CPR Basics
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) maintains blood circulation when the heart stops. It buys time until defibrillation or advanced care can restore heart function.
When to perform CPR: If a person is unresponsive and not breathing normally (no breathing or only gasping), they need CPR. Call 911 first or have someone else call while you begin.
Hands-only CPR for untrained rescuers: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Compress at least 2 inches deep at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute (to the beat of "Stayin' Alive"). Continue until help arrives or the person shows signs of life.
CPR with rescue breaths (if trained): 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Tilt head back, lift chin, seal mouth over theirs, and give breaths watching for chest rise. Continue 30:2 cycle.
AED use: Automated External Defibrillators are found in many public places. They analyze heart rhythm and deliver shock if needed. Turn on the AED and follow voice prompts. They are designed for use by untrained bystanders.
Get trained. This overview is not substitute for hands-on CPR training. Take a certified CPR course to learn proper technique. Regular recertification maintains skills.
Choking Response
Choking occurs when the airway is blocked by food or foreign object. Quick response can save a life.
Signs of choking: Inability to speak or cough effectively, clutching throat, turning blue, panicked appearance. Partial obstruction allows some sound and coughing; complete obstruction produces silence.
If person can cough: Encourage them to keep coughing. Do not interfere with effective coughing as it is the best way to clear obstruction.
If person cannot cough, speak, or breathe: Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver). Stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist, place fist just above navel, grasp fist with other hand, and deliver quick upward thrusts. Repeat until object is expelled or person becomes unconscious.
If person becomes unconscious: Lower them to the ground, call 911 if not already done, begin CPR. With each rescue breath, look into the mouth for visible object and remove if seen. Do not blindly sweep the mouth.
Self-choking: If alone and choking, perform self-administered abdominal thrusts or press your upper abdomen against a hard edge like a chair back.
Burn Treatment
Burns require proper initial treatment to minimize damage and promote healing.
Stop the burning. Remove from heat source. Remove clothing unless stuck to burn. Remove jewelry near the burn area before swelling begins.
Cool the burn with cool (not cold) running water for 10 to 20 minutes. This reduces pain and limits burn depth. Do not use ice, which can cause frostbite on damaged tissue.
Cover with clean, non-stick bandage or clean cloth after cooling. Do not apply butter, oils, or ointments to fresh burns, as these trap heat.
Burn severity: First-degree burns affect only the outer skin layer (redness, pain). Second-degree burns cause blistering. Third-degree burns damage all skin layers and may appear white or charred with less pain due to nerve damage.
Seek medical attention for: Burns larger than 3 inches, burns on face, hands, feet, genitals, or over joints, all third-degree burns, electrical or chemical burns, and burns in infants, elderly, or those with medical conditions.
Fractures and Sprains
Bone and joint injuries require immobilization to prevent further damage and reduce pain.
Signs of fracture: Pain, swelling, deformity, inability to use the limb, grinding sensation, and in severe cases bone protruding through skin (open fracture).
General treatment: Immobilize the injury in the position found. Do not try to realign bones. Splint to prevent movement. Apply ice wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling. Elevate if possible.
Splinting: Use rigid material (boards, rolled magazines, padded sticks) to prevent movement. Splint should extend past joints above and below the fracture. Pad for comfort. Secure firmly but not so tight as to impair circulation.
Check circulation beyond the splint: skin color, temperature, sensation, and ability to move fingers or toes. Loosen if circulation is impaired.
Open fractures (bone visible) require covering the wound with clean dressing and splinting without pushing bone back. These are medical emergencies requiring immediate professional care.
Sprains (ligament injuries) use RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. If severe or uncertain whether fracture or sprain, treat as fracture until evaluated professionally.
Recognizing and Treating Shock
Shock is a life-threatening condition where the body's circulatory system fails to deliver adequate blood to vital organs. It can result from severe bleeding, heart problems, severe infection, allergic reaction, or spinal injury.
Signs of shock: Pale, cold, clammy skin; rapid and weak pulse; rapid and shallow breathing; confusion or anxiety; weakness; nausea; and thirst.
Treatment: Call emergency services immediately. Have the person lie down with legs elevated about 12 inches (unless spinal injury suspected, leg fractures, or head/chest injuries make this inappropriate). Maintain body temperature with blankets. Do not give food or water. Treat any obvious cause (stop bleeding). Reassure and keep calm.
Monitor continuously until help arrives. Be prepared to perform CPR if person stops breathing.
First Aid Kit Essentials
A well-stocked first aid kit enables effective response. Customize based on your specific needs and training level.
Basic supplies: Adhesive bandages (various sizes), sterile gauze pads, roller bandages, adhesive tape, elastic bandages, triangular bandage (sling), scissors, tweezers, safety pins, disposable gloves, and CPR face shield.
Wound care: Antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, butterfly closures or steri-strips, wound irrigation syringe.
Medications: Pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), antihistamine, hydrocortisone cream, anti-diarrheal medication, and personal prescription medications.
Additional items: Instant cold pack, emergency blanket, flashlight, first aid manual, emergency contact information, and medical history cards for household members.
Specialized items (with training): Tourniquet, hemostatic gauze, SAM splint, and chest seal.
Check your kit regularly. Replace used or expired items. Know what is in your kit and how to use each item.
Getting Proper Training
Reading about first aid is valuable but not sufficient. Hands-on training builds skills that work under pressure.
Basic first aid courses cover wound care, bandaging, and common injuries. Offered by Red Cross, community centers, and other organizations.
CPR/AED certification provides hands-on practice with mannequins and AED trainers. Essential skills everyone should have.
Wilderness first aid addresses situations where professional help may be hours or days away. Valuable for outdoor enthusiasts and for general extended emergency preparedness.
Stop the Bleed is a national campaign teaching hemorrhage control. Free courses available in many areas.
Recertification is typically needed every 2 years. Skills fade without practice. Regular refresher training maintains competence.
First Aid Checklist
- First aid kit stocked and accessible
- CPR/AED training current
- Basic first aid course completed
- Know how to call emergency services
- Emergency medical info documented for family
- Know allergies and medications of household
- First aid manual in kit and reviewed
- Kit expiration dates checked quarterly
- Stop the Bleed training completed
- Household members know kit location
Recommended Gear
- Complete First Aid Kit
Pre-assembled kit with essential supplies. Choose size appropriate for household or vehicle.
- CPR Face Shield
Barrier device for rescue breathing. Compact for carrying on keychain.
- Tourniquet (CAT)
For severe bleeding control. Get training before using. Combat Application Tourniquet is proven design.
- SAM Splint
Moldable splint for immobilizing fractures. Lightweight and reusable.
- Israeli Bandage
Pressure dressing for wounds. Built-in pressure bar. Versatile emergency bandage.
- Hemostatic Gauze
Promotes rapid clotting for severe wounds. Requires training for proper use.
- First Aid Manual
Reference guide for emergencies. Include in kit for procedures you might forget under stress.
- Nitrile Gloves
Protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens. Multiple pairs in kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important first aid skill?
Calling for help and knowing when situations require professional medical care. Beyond that, bleeding control and CPR save the most lives in emergencies.
Can I get in trouble for helping someone?
Good Samaritan laws in most jurisdictions protect people who provide reasonable assistance in good faith. These laws encourage bystanders to help without fear of liability for unintentional harm.
Should I move an injured person?
Generally, no. Moving can worsen injuries, especially spinal injuries. Move only if there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, structural collapse) that outweighs injury risk.
How do I know if I need to call 911?
When in doubt, call. Situations requiring 911: unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, suspected heart attack or stroke, severe allergic reactions, and major trauma.
Should I remove an impaled object?
No. Impaled objects may be controlling bleeding. Stabilize the object in place with bulky dressings and seek immediate medical care.
How often should I check my first aid kit?
Every 3 to 6 months. Check for expired items, depleted supplies, and condition of materials. Replace as needed.
Is it safe to do CPR if I am not certified?
Yes. Hands-only CPR (chest compressions without rescue breaths) is recommended for untrained bystanders and is better than doing nothing. Push hard and fast in center of chest.
What if blood soaks through the bandage?
Do not remove the original bandage. Add more material on top and continue pressure. Removing the first bandage disrupts any clotting that has begun.
Should I use hydrogen peroxide on wounds?
Current guidance says no. Hydrogen peroxide damages tissue and slows healing. Clean wounds with water or saline. Apply antibiotic ointment after cleaning.
How do I help someone having a seizure?
Protect them from injury by clearing nearby objects. Do not restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Time the seizure. Turn them on their side after convulsions stop. Call 911 if seizure lasts over 5 minutes or if they do not regain consciousness.
What about allergic reactions?
Mild reactions (rash, itching) may respond to antihistamines. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) with difficulty breathing, throat swelling, or shock require immediate epinephrine (if available) and emergency medical care.
Where can I get first aid training?
American Red Cross, American Heart Association, community colleges, hospitals, and many employers offer courses. Some online components but hands-on practice is essential.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general educational information about first aid. It is not a substitute for hands-on training from certified instructors. For medical emergencies, call emergency services (911 in US, 112 in EU). This information is not medical advice. For health concerns, consult qualified healthcare professionals.