First aid is defined as any emergency care given to an injured or sick person prior to professional medical treatment. The purpose of first aid is to preserve life, stabilize the patient, prevent contamination, aid recovery, and safely transport the patient for further care. It is important for first aiders to understand they are not doctors and should only provide care to keep the patient alive until emergency help arrives. Proper first aid kits, universal precautions like gloves and masks, and understanding conditions like shock, bleeding, burns and more are essential for effectively responding to common injuries and emergencies until advanced medical care can take over.

1. The Basics of First Aid

2. Defining “First Aid”
FIRST - coming before all others in time or order; earliest; 1st.
AID -help or support (someone or something) in the achievement of something.
First Aid is defined as any and all emergency care given to an injured
or sick person prior to the intervention of any professional
medical treatment.

3. Purpose of first aid
• To preserve and sustain the life of the casualty
• To Stabilize the patient
• To prevent contamination
• To aid in better and more rapid recovery
• To aid in the safe transportation of the patient to a hospital of doctor

4. Points to be clear on
• You are NOT A DOCTOR.
• Role of the first aider is to help keep the patient alive, as comfortable as possible till
medical help arrive.
• NEVER give up on a patient.
• Only a doctor should declare a patient dead and stop life-saving procedures.
• Your efforts may save a life.
• Being aware of safety issues
• You cannot help someone else if you become a victim yourself!

5. First Aid- Kit
A well-stocked first-aid kit can help you respond effectively to common injuries
and emergencies. Keep at least one first-aid kit in your home, office and one in
your car.
• Easy locations.
• Reach out of young children.
• Type and size depending on the size of the group.

6. What’s In a First Aid Kit ??
Kits vary in contents but most kits have
the following items:
• Forceps / tweezers
• Disposable thermometers
• First aid instruction booklet
• Band-aids / Adhesive bandages
• Gauze pads and tape
• Scissors, cold pack
• Wound bandage / compress
• Eye pads / eye wash solution
• First aid / burn cream
• Antibiotic ointment
• Face shield or barrier mask for
providing CPR

7. Dressings and Bandages
The purpose of a dressing is to:
• Control bleeding
• Prevent infection and
contamination
• Absorb blood and fluid drainage
• Protect the wound from further
injury
What to Do:
• Always wear gloves (if possible)
• Use a dressing large enough to
extend beyond the wound’s
edges.
• Cover the dressing with
bandages.
Bandage can be used to:
•Hold a dressing in place over an open wound
•Apply direct pressure over a dressing to control bleeding
•Prevent or reduce swelling
•Provide support and stability for an extremity or joint
•Bandage should be clean but need not be sterile.

8. Spinal Injuries
Spinal Injuries
• Head injuries may indicate that there are possible spinal injuries
 It may have been moved suddenly in one or more directions,
damaging the spine.
• What to Look For
• General signs & symptoms
 Painful movement of the arms or legs
 Numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning sensation in
the arms or legs
 Loss of bowel or bladder control
 Paralysis of the arms or legs
 Deformity (odd-looking angle of the victim’s head & neck

9. Spinal Injuries Cont.
• What to Do:
 Stabilize the victim against any
movement.
 Check ABCs. (Airway Breathing
Circulation)
• Unresponsive Victim:
 Look for cuts, bruise, and
deformities.
 Test response by pinching the
victim’s hand, and bare foot.
 If no reaction, assume the victim
may have spinal damage
• Responsive Victim
• Upper Extremity Checks:
 Victim wiggles fingers.
 Victim feels rescuer squeeze
fingers.
 Victim squeeze rescuer’s hand.
• Lower Extremity Checks:
 Victim wiggles toes.
 Victim feels rescuer squeezes
toes.
 Victim pushes foot against
rescuer’s hand.

10. Emergency Action Steps
ASSESS: the situation – is it safe? The victim – is he/she responsive?
ALERT: call 911 or activate the emergency action plan.
ATTEND: to the victim. Check for life threatening conditions first.

11. Universal Precautions and Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
To reduce the risk of infections:
• Wear disposable gloves when giving first aid. Use a face shield or mask when
performing CPR.
• Remove gloves properly – Without touching the bare skin, grasp the inside palm of
your gloves with the fingers of the opposite hand and pull gloves off inside out –
repeat with 2nd hand and dispose of gloves in an appropriate manner.
• Clean your hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer. If not available, wash well
with soap and water.

12. The ABCs of First Aid
The ABCs stands for…
• Airway
• Breathing
• Circulation
Additional things to pay attention to:
• Notice the color of the persons’ skin. Blue, grey or purple colors usually indicate
illness.
• Try to smell for alcohol on the breath
• Listen for groaning noises or rasping in the breathing.
• Listen for coughing or spluttering

13. A-B-C’s
Establish responsiveness
Use chin lift/head tilt
Look.-listen-feel for breathing
Attempt to Ventilate
after every 5
seconds.
Check pulse Recovery position

14. General First Aid Procedure
• ALWAYS CALL 911 FIRST (or have someone else
call if more than one person is present)

15. Adult / Child Choking : Severe Airway
Blockage
Victim is responsive:
• Quickly ask, “are you choking?”
• If the victim nods yes, or is unable to talk, speak, or cough – act quickly.
• Stand behind the victim.
• Make a fist and place the thumb side of that hand against the victim’s abdomen, just
above the navel and below the ribs. Grasp fist with the other hand.
• Quickly thrust inward and upward into the abdomen.
• Repeat thrusts until object is expelled or victim becomes unresponsive.

16. Adult / Child Choking : Severe Airway
Blockage
Victim is unresponsive:
• If needed, help the victim to the ground and alert EMS / call 911.
• Begin chest thrusts as you would with CPR. Each time the airway is opened look for
the object in the victim’s throat and if you can see it, remove it
– being careful not to lodge the object further into the
victim’s throat.
• Continue chest thrusts until EMS / Paramedics arrive,
or the victim shows signs of breathing /responsiveness.

17. Heimlich Maneuver

18. Basic First Aid Instructions Minor
Wounds
Signs and Symptoms:
• Break, cut or opening in the skin
• Bleeding – may be minor, moderate or
severe
• Bruising and pain
• Infection
• Progressing shock
First Aid:
• If bleeding, apply direct pressure with
a clean cloth or absorbent pad.
• Wash area with antibacterial soap and
clean until there appears to be no
foreign matter in the wound.
• Cover area with an adhesive bandage
or gauze wrap.
Minor wounds include abrasions, lacerations, punctures and incisions. The most
significant issues to consider with any open wound are control of bleeding and
infection.

19. Minor Wounds, continued
Bruising: Caused by broken blood
vessels leaking blood under the skin.
Bruising can be minimal or large and
severe.
Signs and Symptoms:
• Pain and swelling
• Discoloration: new bruising will be dark
purple / older bruising will fade to
greenish yellow
First Aid:
• Apply ice to injury to reduce pain,
bleeding and swelling.
• To prevent frost bite to the injured
area, place a thin towel or cloth
between the skin and ice. Limit ice
application to 20 minutes on, 20 off.
Crush Injury: Occurs when a body part is
subjected to a high degree of force or
pressure . Example: smashed fingers in
door.
Signs and Symptoms:
• Pain and swelling
• Discoloration and sometimes deformity
First Aid:
• Apply ice just as you would with a
bruising injury.
• If pain is severe and does not lessen
with ice or there is decreased
sensation, weakness, or paleness of
the skin in the affected area, seek
emergency care.

20. Shock
Shock develops when not enough blood flows to the vital organs of the body. Victims with
shock may stop responding. Common causes of shock are:
Severe bleeding Nervous system injuries
Heart attack or other heart problem Severe burns
Severe allergic reaction Dehydration
Signs and Symptoms:
• Dizziness, faint or weak feeling
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, agitation, or
confusion
• Cool and clammy to the touch
• Pale or grayish skin
• Thirst
• Nausea or vomiting
First Aid:
• Help person lie on their back.
• Keep victim lying flat with feet slightly
elevated if possible.
• Cover person to keep him/her warm,
but prevent overheating.
• Ensure an open airway for victim
and adequate breathing.
• Monitor victim and administer
CPR if necessary.

21. Burns
• Thermal burns are caused by sun, fire, hot liquids or objects and sometimes hot
gases.
• Chemical burns are caused by contact with wet or dry chemicals.
• Electrical burns are caused by contact with electrical wires, current or lightening.
• Burns on the face, hands, feet and genitals can be particularly serious.
• Burns can cause tremendous damage to the body. They can cause extreme pain,
scarring, massive infection, organ failure and even death.
• A rescuer’s highest priority is personal safety.
• If a victim is on fire, tell him/her to STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
• If a victim is in contact with electricity DO NOT TOUCH him/her until the source of
electricity has been shut off.

22. Burns: Minor/Major and First Aid
Care
Minor Burns:
Signs and Symptoms:
• Pain, Redness
• Swelling, Blisters
First Aid:
• Expose the burn.
• Cool burns with cold water and
continue until pain lessens.
• After cooling, cover with a dry, sterile
bandage or clean dressing.
• Protect from friction /pressure
• DO NOT pop blisters or apply any
ointment or other substance.
Major Burns:
Signs and Symptoms:
• Dry/leathery, white or blackened,
charred skin
First Aid:
• Assess/Alert/Attend to any life
threatening problems.
• Call 911and Activate EMS.
• If caused by a liquid chemical, flush
with large amounts of water right away
if you are fully trained in First Aid.

23. Bites and Stings
Bites and stings that could require first aid care can occur from a wide variety of sources.
Most cause only minor discomfort and can easily be treated by a first aid provider.
However bites and stings from venomous snakes, insects or animals can cause
intense pain and swelling. Bites from humans and animals such as dogs, cats, bats,
etc., can cause severe injury and infection, including tetanus and rabies.
Some people have severe allergic reactions to bites or stings that can be life threatening.
In these cases, the most important first aid measure is rapid access to advanced
emergency medical care

24. Bites and Stings First Aid
General Signs and Symptoms
associated with bites and stings:
• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain
• Itching
• Nausea
• Problems breathing
General First Aid for bites and stings:
• Remove jewelry and constrictive
clothing
• Wash the area with soap and clean
water
• Cover the area with an adhesive
bandage or gauze wrap
• Apply ice if needed to reduce pain and
swelling

25. Bites and Stings Cont.
• Tick bites
 Tick can remain embedded for
days without the victim’s realizing
it.
 Most tick bites are harmless,
although ticks can carry serious
diseases.
 Symptoms usually begin 3 to 12
days after a tick bites
• What to Do:
 The best way to remove a tick is
with fine-pointed tweezers. Grab
as closely to the skin as possible
and pull straight back, using
steady but gentle force.
 Wash the bite site with soap and
water.
• Apply rubbing alcohol to further
disinfect the area.
 Apply an ice pack to reduce pain.
 Calamine lotion may provide relief
from itching.
• Keep the area clean.
 Continue to watch the bite
 site for about one month for
 a rash.
• If rash appears, see a physician.
• Also watch for other signs such as
fever.

26. Snake & Spider bites
Rattlesnake Copperhead Black Widow Brown Recluse
•Limit activity
•Constricting bandage above
•Cold application
•Advanced medical attention

27. Nosebleeds and First Aid
Most nosebleeds are not serious and can be handled by a first aid responder. Most will
stop on their own or with simple first aid actions. In some cases nosebleeds can
indicate a more serious condition which may require ongoing medical attention.
If the nose bleed is related to an injury, the victim should be assisted in finding medical
assistance urgently.
Some people may be taking medications that make them more prone to bleeding. These
people should also seek care urgently.

28. Nosebleeds and First Aid
Signs and
symptoms
to
monitor:
• Bleeding in the
back of the
throat, causing
the victim to
vomit blood
• Bleeding from
one or both
nostrils
First Aid Interventions:
• Sit upright and lean forward. By remaining upright, you reduce
blood pressure in the veins of your nose. This discourages
further bleeding. Sitting forward will help you avoid swallowing
blood, which can irritate your stomach. Have the victim spit
out blood that collects in the back of the throat or mouth.
• Pinch the nose firmly. Use your thumb and index finger to
pinch your nostrils shut. Breathe through your mouth.
Continue to pinch for 5 to 10 minutes. Pinching sends
pressure to the bleeding point on the nasal septum and often
stops the flow of blood.
• To prevent re-bleeding, don't pick or blow your nose and don't
bend down for several hours after the bleeding episode.
During this time remember to keep your head higher than the
level of your heart.

29. Diabetes and Diabetic
Emergencies
Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes an imbalance of blood sugar and insulin.
Emergencies can occur if someone’s blood sugar becomes very high or very low.
Several factors can contribute to hypoglycemia in people with diabetes, including
taking too much insulin or other diabetes medications, skipping a meal, or exercising
more or at a higher intensity than usual.

30. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
Signs and Symptoms:
• Shakiness
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Hunger
• Irritability or moodiness
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Headache, vision problems
• Drowsiness
• Seizures
First Aid Interventions:
• Five to six pieces of hard candy
• Four ounces of fruit juice or regular
not diet soda
• One tablespoon of sugar, jelly or
honey
• Three glucose tablets (available
without a prescription at most
pharmacies)
• Use the above interventions only if
victim is alert – if not alert or appears
confused, call 911.

31. Heat Exhaustion & Heat Stroke
Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when
combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt
treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.
Fortunately, heat exhaustion is preventable.
Heatstroke occurs if your body temperature continues to rise. At this point, emergency
treatment is needed. In a period of hours, untreated heatstroke can cause damage to
your brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. These injuries get worse the longer treatment
is delayed, increasing your risk of very serious complications.

32. Heat Exhaustion First Aid
Signs and Symptoms:
• Cool, moist skin with goose bumps
when in the heat
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure upon standing
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Headache
First Aid Interventions:
• Stop all activity and rest.
• Move to a cooler place.
• Drink cool water or sports drinks.
• Contact your doctor if your signs or
symptoms worsen or if they don't
improve within one hour. Seek
immediate medical attention if your
body temperature reaches 104°F
(40°C) or higher.

33. Heat Stroke First Aid
Signs and Symptoms:
• High body temperature.
• A lack of sweating.
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flushed skin.
• Rapid breathing.
• Racing heart rate.
• Headache.
• Confusion.
First Aid Interventions:
• If you think a person may be
experiencing heatstroke, seek
immediate medical help. Call 911 or
your local emergency services
number.
• Help the person move to a shaded
location and remove excess clothing.
• Place ice packs or cold, wet towels on
the person's head, neck, armpits
and groin.
• Mist the person with water
while a fan is blowing on
him/her.

34. Fractures
classifications of fractures:
• Greenstick fracture – which is a
simple crack in the bone. They can be
determined by a doctor using an x-ray
machine.
• Closed or “simple” fracture – in
which the broken bone has not pierced
through the skin.
• Open or “compound” fracture – in
which the broken bone has pierced or
torn the skin resulting in an open
wound.
• Comminuted or “multiple” fracture
– in which the bone is broken in more
than one place.
• Try to avoid moving or jarring the limb
• Support the limb with a splint (stick,
rolled newspaper, etc… secured with
rope, strips of cloth, tie, etc… to keep
the limb completely rigid.
• Make sure that the splint isn’t too tight
by checking for a pulse at the extreme
of the limb in question. The absence of
a pulse would indicate that the splint is
too tight.
• Apply ice or frozen vegetables
to keep the swelling down but
not for more than 20 minutes
at a time.
• Do not try to set the bone or
repair the fracture.
A fracture is a break or splinter in a bone. It
can be caused by violent impact or by any
number of diseases that cause bone decay.
First- Aid

35. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease that causes the airways to constrict, become inflamed or
accumulates excessive amounts of mucus. These attacks may be triggered by a
number of different factors including cigarette smoke, pollen, cold air, warm air, pet
dander and any number of other airborne particulates.
Additionally the triggers may be brought on because of emotions or excursions. Asthma
can be severe and, in extreme cases, the attacks can be fatal.

36. First - Aid
• Help the sufferer sit upright as it is easier for them to breathe in this position than if
they are laying down.
• Try to calm them. Talk with a soothing voice. Do not panic and add to the emotional
stress that the sufferer is already experiencing. Any additional stress will just make
matters worse.
• Get them to take their medication. Help them if they can’t take it for themselves.
Shake the inhaler and give them one good puff. Have them hold the breath in for 4
seconds or so followed by 4-5 normal breaths. Repeat this procedure up to four
times. If, after 4 minutes there is no improvement you should repeat the procedure.
• If there is still no improvement in the sufferers condition, call 911 and stay with them
until help arrive

37. Concussions
Concussions are caused when a sudden impact to the head occurs. This sudden impact
can cause the brain to “bounce around” in the skull resulting in bruising and swelling
of the brain. As with any injury to the brain sensory input and output can be
temporarily damaged and must therefore be dealt with immediately.
Symptoms of a concussion :
• Speech impairment
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Seizures
• Bleeding from the ears
• Dilated pupils
• Paralysis of any of the limbs

38. First - Aid
• Lay the patient down on his or her back with legs elevated over the head and loosen
all clothing.
• Apply a damp cloth to face and neck
• DO NOT GIVE THEM ANYTHING TO DRINK, even if they ask for it.
Although most concussions do not require any additional medical treatment
except rest, it is important to note two very important facts related to
concussions:
• Immediate symptoms and the injury seemed to be a minor one. This means that it is
better to be safe and to have a patient checked out by a professional if there is the
least doubt.
• Damage from concussions can be cumulative. It is therefore essential to keep
the head protected by using hard hats, bump caps and helmets. It is also
essential to use seatbelts while driving.

39. Performing CPR
• If the patient is not breathing, tilt their head back and cover their mouth with yours.
Blow until you see their chest rise. Breathe this way twice for two seconds each.
• If the patient still shows no signs of life (sputtering, coughing, etc…) begin chest
compressions directly between the nipples. Most people do not compress hard
enough. Push hard, using the heel of your hand with the other hand over it. Pump at
the rate of 100 compressions per minute (use the song “Staying alive” by the
BeeGees to get the correct beat). Again, most people do not pump fast enough.
• Breaths to pumps should ideally be 2 breaths to 15 pumps.
• Many AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) on the market today will actually
monitor the strength and depth of the compression for you and let you know if you are
not doing it hard enough or fast enough. This can make the difference between life
and death for inexperienced personnel. Consider having an AED like the Zoll AED
Plus.

40. Causes of
Respiratory/Cardiac Arrest
Electrical Drowning Heart Attack Drugs
Toxic - Noxious gases
Suffocation
Trauma
Allergic reactions

41. Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
• Should be trained to perform this procedure
• If done improperly, could harm victim
• Courses available everywhere
• New in Late 2006
– 30 Compressions to 2 Breaths
– For Everyone!

42. The Good Samaritan Laws
• Most states now have some form of a Good Samaritan law that provides immunity
from liability for any person who tries to help someone in distress. This law applies
also to attempted first aid. Though these laws do not prevent a lawsuit from being
generated, either by the patient or by relatives, it does protect you, as the first aider,
from being found liable. Good Samaritan laws do not apply to professional health
care workers who are getting paid to rescue. Professionals are assumed to have
been properly trained and to have the necessary knowledge to do their jobs correctly.
They can be held accountable for their mistakes.
• A complication of this exemption may apply to you if you accept any kind of
remuneration for the actions that you took. If you are somehow rewarded monetarily
or otherwise for providing first aid, you may no longer be able to fall under the Good
Samaritan law if legal proceedings are initiated against you. Because of this it is
usually advisable not to accept gifts or rewards for any first aid acts taken.