First aid is the initial assistance given to someone who is injured or suddenly ill. It involves assessing the situation, protecting the victim from further harm, and treating them for shock while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive. The key aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery. It is important to act quickly but remain calm, check if the victim is breathing, ensure their comfort, and never give them food or drink without medical approval. Basic first aid supplies include bandages, antiseptic, scissors, and other materials for treating wounds and providing initial care.

1. First Aid
First Aid is the first treatment given to a person who has been injured before the arrival of an
ambulance or qualified medical expert.
Aims of first aid:
o Preserve life
o Prevent the conditioning worsening
o Promote recovery
In the event of an accident you should:
o Act quickly
o Calmness is important
o Check to see if the victim is breathing
o Identify if the victim is breathing
o Don’t remove any clothing
o Ensure the victim is comfortable
o Never give the victim food or drink
o Tell someone to call an ambulance if necessary
First Aid Box:
The first aid box should be well stocked, It should be easily seen but out of the reach of young
children.
What should be in it?
First Aid Book Adhesive Plasters
Cotton Wool Scissors
Sterile Gauze Tweezers
Thermometer Safety pins
Cotton Buds Crepe Bandages
Triangular Bandages Anti-Septic Lotion

2. Treatment of simple first aid:
Cuts and Scratches:
1. Stop bleeding by applying pressure.
2. Wash a dirty wound such as a graze from the inside out using sterile gauze dipped in
warm water containing antiseptic.
3. Dry gently with cotton wool.
4. Apply a clean dressing.
Burns and Scalds:
Burns are caused by dry heat such as from a fire.
Scalds are caused by moist heat such as steam or boiling liquid.
Minor Burns and Scalds:
1. Submerge the burnt area in cold water until pain eases.
2. Spray area with a burn spray.
3. Burns may be covered with a sterile dressing.
Major Burns and Scalds:
1. If the clothing is on fire pour water in the victim or wrap in a blanket to extinguish fire.
2. Don’t move any clothing that is stuck to the wound; Cover any exposed burned areas with
a clean, dry cloth to stop infection.
3. Treat shock by raising the patient’s legs and loosening any tight clothing.
4. Cover the patient to prevent heat loss
5. Get medical help.
Cuts:
Small Cuts or Grazes:
1. Wash the wound with warm water and a little antiseptic.
2. Make sure there is no dirt in the wound.
3. Dry carefully and cover with a clean dressing.
4. If the wound is deep apply pressure and get medical help.

3. Choking:
Choking is caused by an obstruction of the airways so that the victim cannot breath.
Treatment for a Child:
1. Place the child face downwards over your knees and support the head with one hand.
2. Slap the child four times between the shoulder blades.
Treatment for Adults:
Use the “Heimlich manoeuvre”
1. Stand behind the victim; clasp your hands together under their rib cage.
2. Pull your hands towards yourself in a sharp inward and upward movement.
3. Repeat the procedure up to four times if necessary
Fainting:
1. Anyone who feels faint should sit down and lean forward, heed between the knees.
2. If they have already fainted they should remain lying down for 10-15 minutes after
regaining consciousness.
3. If they fail to regain consciousness within a minute or two seek medical help.
Poisoning:
1. If a person has swallowed a poisonous substance take them to hospital immediately with
the container they drank from.
2. If they are unconscious place in the recovery position and call an ambulance.
3. If you know that the substance is not corrosive make the patient vomit and save for
hospital examination.
4. If the poison is corrosive do not induce vomiting. Give milk to neutralise the poison.

4. First Aid Worksheet:
1. What is First Aid?
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2. List some contents of a first aid box.
_______________ _________________
________________ _________________ ______________
3. Fill in the blanks: In the event of an accident you should
Act ____________.
_______________ is important.
Check the victim is _________________.
Never give the victim __________ or ______________.
4. Explain the difference between a burn and a scald.
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5. How would you treat the following:
a) a person who feels faint
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