Definition of First Aid:

First aid refers to the immediate assistance or treatment given to someone who has been injured
or suddenly taken ill before the arrival of professional medical help.
Primary Objectives: The primary objectives of first aid include preserving life, preventing the condition
from worsening, and promoting recovery.

 Preserve life: Ensure the person's airway is clear, they are breathing, and they have a pulse.
 Prevent further injury: Stabilize any injuries or conditions to prevent them from worsening.
 Promote recovery: Provide appropriate care and seek medical assistance if necessary.

ABCDE of First Aid:

A stands for Airway: Ensure the airway is clear and open.
B stands for Breathing: Check for breathing. If absent, start CPR.
C stands for Circulation: Check for signs of circulation (pulse). If absent, start CPR.
D stands for Disability: Assess neurological status.
E stands for Exposure/Environment: Ensure the person is protected from further harm.
Common First Aid Situations:
Choking: Perform abdominal thrusts.
Bleeding: Apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
Burns: Cool the burn with cold water for at least 10-20 minutes.
Fractures: Immobilize the injured limb to prevent further damage.
Heat Stroke: Move the person to a cooler place and provide water.
Poisoning: Call emergency services and provide information about the substance ingested.
Importance of Calling for Help:
While providing first aid, it's crucial to call emergency services or seek professional medical help as soon
as possible, especially in serious situations such as cardiac arrest, severe bleeding, or unconsciousness.
Prevention:
Educate about preventive measures to avoid injuries and accidents, such as wearing seatbelts, using
protective gear during sports activities, and practicing fire safety.

CHOKING
Choking occurs when the airway becomes blocked by a foreign object, preventing normal breathing.
Signs of choking include difficulty breathing, inability to speak or cough, clutching at the throat, and
cyanosis (blue skin color).
Quickly assess the severity of the choking situation. If the person is coughing forcefully or able to speak,
encourage them to continue coughing to try and dislodge the object. However, if they are unable to
breathe or speak, immediate action is required.
Performing Abdominal Thrusts (Heimlich Maneuver):

 Stand behind the choking person and wrap your arms around their waist.
 Make a fist with one hand and place it slightly above the person's navel.
 Grasp your fist with your other hand and press into the abdomen with a quick upward thrust.
 Repeat thrusts until the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious.
Heart attack
Common symptoms include:

 Chest pain or discomfort that may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of
the chest. The pain may last more than a few minutes or may come and go.
 Pain or discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or
stomach.
 Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.
 Cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness, or fainting.
If you suspect someone is having a heart attack, take immediate action:

 Call emergency services or local emergency number immediately.

 Encourage the person to sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
 Loosen any tight clothing and reassure the person.
 Aspirin Administration: If the person is conscious and not allergic to aspirin, you can give them
aspirin to chew. Aspirin helps to thin the blood and may reduce the risk of clot formation.
However, make sure not to give aspirin if the person is allergic to it or if you're unsure.
Monitor Vital Signs:
Keep monitoring the person's vital signs (breathing, pulse, and consciousness) until emergency medical
help arrives.
Prepare for CPR:
If the person becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally, be prepared to perform CPR
(Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). If you're trained in CPR, begin chest compressions and rescue
breathing. Follow the instructions given by the emergency dispatcher if you're on the phone with them.

Provide Emotional Support:

Remain calm and provide reassurance to the person experiencing the heart attack. Encourage them to
stay calm and breathe slowly.
CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,
is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when an individual's heartbeat or breathing has stopped.
Here's a guide to performing CPR:

 Ensure the scene is safe for both you and the victim. Check for any potential dangers before
approaching the person.
 Check Responsiveness: Gently tap the victim and shout, "Are you okay?" If there is no response,
the person is unresponsive and needs immediate help.
 Call for Emergency Help: If you're alone, shout for help or call emergency services yourself. If
someone else is present, instruct them to call emergency services immediately while you begin
CPR.
 Check Breathing: Tilt the victim's head back slightly and look, listen, and feel for signs of
breathing. Look for chest rise and fall, listen for sounds of breathing, and feel for breath on your
cheek. If the victim is not breathing or only gasping, begin CPR.

Perform Chest Compressions:

 Place the heel of one hand on the center of the victim's chest (between the nipples).
 Place the other hand on top of the first hand, interlocking your fingers.
 Keep your elbows straight and position your shoulders directly over your hands.
 Press down firmly and quickly, allowing the chest to rise completely between compressions.
 Perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
 Aim for a compression depth of at least 2 inches (5 centimeters) in adults.
Give Rescue Breaths (if trained and comfortable):

 Open the victim's airway by tilting their head back and lifting the chin.
 Pinch the victim's nose closed.
 Take a normal breath and make a tight seal over the victim's mouth with yours.
 Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second and causing the chest to rise.
Perform cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths. Continue CPR until:

 The person shows signs of life, such as breathing.

 Emergency medical help arrives and takes over.
 You become too exhausted to continue.

STROKE
Stroke symptoms typically appear suddenly and may include:

 Weakness or numbness, often on one side of the body

  Confusion or difficulty understanding speech
 Trouble speaking or slurred speech
 Vision problems in one or both eyes
 Severe headache with no known cause
 Dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
 Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding
Time is critical during a stroke. If you suspect someone is having a stroke, act quickly and call
emergency services immediately. Every minute counts in minimizing brain damage and improving the
person's chances of recovery. A person suffering from heatstroke should be given ice packs to help
regulate their body temperature.
Stay Calm and Reassure the Person: Provide reassurance to the person experiencing the stroke.
Encourage them to stay calm and reassure them that help is on the way.
Positioning: If the person is conscious and breathing normally, help them sit or lie down in a comfortable
position, preferably on their side to prevent choking if vomiting occurs.
Do Not Offer Food or Drink: Do not give the person anything to eat or drink, as they may have
difficulty swallowing or may choke.
Basic Wound Care/Bleeding
Quickly assess the severity of the bleeding. Determine if it's a minor or severe bleed.

 Protect Yourself: Put on disposable gloves, if available, to protect yourself from exposure to
bloodborne pathogens.
 Apply Direct Pressure: Apply firm, direct pressure on the wound using a clean cloth, gauze pad,
or your gloved hand. If the cloth becomes soaked with blood, apply another layer on top without
removing the first.
 Elevate the Wound: Raise the injured area above the level of the heart, if possible, to help reduce
blood flow to the area and minimize bleeding. However, avoid elevating if it causes pain or
exacerbates the injury.
 Maintain Pressure: Continue to apply pressure until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding is severe,
do not remove the dressing; instead, apply additional layers over the original dressing.

Use Pressure Points:

If direct pressure alone does not control the bleeding, you can apply pressure to pressure points near
the wound. Pressure points are areas where an artery runs close to the skin's surface and can be pressed
against a bone to help reduce blood flow. Common pressure points include:

 Brachial artery (inside the upper arm)

 Femoral artery (inside the upper thigh)
 Radial artery (wrist)
 Carotid artery (neck)
Apply Tourniquet (as a Last Resort):
 If bleeding cannot be controlled by direct pressure or pressure points, and the situation is life-
threatening, you may need to apply a tourniquet. Use a wide, flat material such as a belt, cloth, or
bandage. Place it around the limb, between the wound and the heart, and tighten it until the bleeding
stops. Note the time the tourniquet was applied and relay this information to emergency responders.
Aftercare:
Once the bleeding is under control, clean the wound with soap and water, if possible, to reduce
the risk of infection. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a sterile bandage or dressing.
Remember:
the goal of first aid for bleeding is to stop or control the bleeding while minimizing the risk of infection
and further injury. Always seek professional medical help for severe bleeding or if you're unsure about
how to handle the situation.

Fracture and sprain management

First aid for broken bones, also known as fractures, involves several steps to help stabilize the
injury and alleviate pain. Here's a guide on what to do:

 Quickly assess the severity of the injury and determine if it's a suspected broken bone. Look for
signs such as deformity, swelling, bruising, or the inability to move the injured area.
 Ensure the safety of the injured person and yourself. If the person is in a dangerous location,
move them to a safe area, if possible, without causing further injury.
 Help stabilize the injured limb or area to prevent further movement, which can worsen the injury
or cause additional damage to surrounding tissues. Use a splint or improvised materials (e.g.,
rolled-up newspaper, cardboard, or a sturdy stick) to support the injured area.
 Apply Ice Packs: Apply a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the injured area to
reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time, with intervals of at least 10
minutes between applications.
 Elevate the Injured Limb: Elevate the injured limb above the level of the heart, if possible, to
reduce swelling and minimize pain.
 Control Bleeding: If there is any bleeding associated with the injury, apply direct pressure to the
wound using a clean cloth or bandage. Elevate the injured limb, if possible, to help reduce blood
flow to the area.
 Provide Pain Relief: Offer pain relief to the injured person, if necessary and if it's safe to do so.
Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate pain and
reduce inflammation.
 Seek Medical Help: Call emergency services or take the injured person to the nearest healthcare
facility for further evaluation and treatment. X-rays may be needed to confirm the fracture and
determine the appropriate treatment.
Remember, proper first aid for broken bones can help reduce pain, prevent complications, and promote
faster healing. Always seek medical attention for suspected fractures to ensure appropriate treatment and
management of the injury.
BURNS
First aid for burns involves immediate actions to minimize damage, relieve pain, and prevent infection.
Here's what to do:

 Assess the Severity of the Burn: Determine the extent and severity of the burn. Burns are
categorized into three types:
First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing redness, minor swelling, and
pain.
Second-degree burns: Involve the outer and underlying layers of skin, causing redness,
blistering, swelling, and pain.
Third-degree burns: Extend into deeper tissues, causing white or charred skin, numbness, and
possibly severe pain or no pain due to nerve damage.
 Remove the Source of Heat: If it's safe to do so, remove the person from the source of the burn
or eliminate the burning material from their clothing. Use caution to avoid further injury to
yourself or the person.
 Cool the Burn: Immediately cool the burn with cool (not cold) running water for at least 10-20
minutes. Avoid using ice, as it can further damage the skin. Cooling the burn helps reduce pain,
swelling, and further tissue damage.
 Remove Constrictive Items: Remove any tight clothing, jewelry, or other constrictive items
from the burned area before it begins to swell.
 Cover the Burn: Cover the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing or clean cloth to protect it
from further contamination and reduce the risk of infection. Do not apply any ointments, creams,
or butter to the burn, as they can trap heat and promote infection.
 Provide Pain Relief: Offer over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to
help alleviate pain and discomfort. Follow the dosage instructions on the label.

 Seek Medical Attention: Determine the severity of the burn and seek medical attention
accordingly:

 For first-degree burns: Minor burns can often be treated at home with first aid. However, seek
medical attention if the burn covers a large area, affects sensitive areas (such as the face, hands,
feet, or groin), or if the person is an infant, elderly, or has a compromised immune system.
 For second-degree burns: Seek medical attention for all second-degree burns, especially if they
cover a large area, are located on the hands, feet, face, groin, or major joints, or if the person is
experiencing severe pain or signs of infection.
 For third-degree burns: Call emergency services immediately and provide first aid while
waiting for help to arrive. Do not attempt to remove clothing stuck to the burn, as it may cause
further damage.
 Monitor for Shock: Monitor the person for signs of shock, such as pale or clammy skin, rapid
heartbeat, shallow breathing, weakness, or confusion. If shock is present, lay the person down,
elevate their legs (unless there is a suspected fracture), and cover them with a blanket to keep
warm.