First Aid

Why First Aid Matters

Bystanders Save Lives

• Bystander intervention significantly reduces early mortality^[1]
• The first minutes are often the most critical
• You don't need to be a professional to help

Most People Hesitate

• Many people lack confidence to perform CPR even with training^[2]
• Fear of making things worse is common but often unfounded
• Doing something is almost always better than doing nothing

Training Matters

• First aid knowledge increases willingness to help^[3]
• Take a course — reading is not enough
• Practice regularly to maintain skills

Life-Threatening Emergencies

Cardiac Arrest (CPR)

• Call emergency services immediately^ⓘ
• Push hard and fast in the center of the chest (100-120 compressions per minute)
• About 5-6 cm deep for adults
• AED^ⓘ
• Dont worry about breaking ribs — survival matters more

Choking

• Most people don't know proper choking first aid^[6]
• Ask if person can cough — if yes, encourage them to keep coughing
• If they cannot speak, cough, or breathe:
• Heimlich maneuver^ⓘ
• For unconscious person: call emergency services, start CPR

Severe Bleeding

• Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
• People underestimate blood loss visually^[8]
• If blood soaks through, add more material on top (dont remove)
• Tourniquet^ⓘ
• Elevate injured limb if possible
• Call emergency services for significant bleeding

Burns

Immediate Treatment

• Cool running water for 20 minutes^[10]
• Start as soon as possible (effective for up to 3 hours)
• Many people don't cool burns properly^[11]
• Do NOT use ice, butter, toothpaste, or other home remedies

After Cooling

• Remove jewelry and loose clothing (not if stuck to burn)
• Cover with cling film or clean non-fluffy material
• Do NOT pop blisters
• Seek medical help for:

- Burns larger than palm of hand

- Burns on face, hands, joints, genitals

- Chemical or electrical burns

- Any burn in children

What NOT to Do

Common Injuries

Cuts and Wounds

• Wash hands before treating
• Clean wound under running water
• Apply pressure with clean cloth until bleeding stops
• Apply antiseptic and cover with sterile dressing
• Seek help if wound is deep, dirty, or won't stop bleeding

Sprains and Strains

• RICE^ⓘ
• Ice for 15-20 minutes at a time (not directly on skin)
• Compression bandage to reduce swelling
• Elevate above heart level
• Seek medical help if you can't bear weight or suspect fracture

Head Injuries

• Any loss of consciousness needs medical evaluation
• Watch for warning signs: repeated vomiting, confusion, unequal pupils
• Concussion^ⓘ
• When in doubt, seek medical help

What to Have Available

Basic First Aid Kit

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads and bandages
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes/solution
• Scissors and tweezers
• Disposable gloves
• Emergency contact numbers

Know Your Location

• Be able to describe where you are to emergency services^[14]
• Note landmarks, addresses, cross streets
• Many phones have location sharing for emergencies

When to Call Emergency Services

Always Call for

• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Suspected heart attack or stroke
• Severe allergic reaction
• Suspected spinal injury
• Seizures
• Poisoning

Signs of Heart Attack

• Chest pain or discomfort (may spread to arm, neck, jaw)
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Women may have less obvious symptoms

Signs of Stroke (FAST)

• Face drooping^ⓘ
• Arm weakness^ⓘ
• Speech difficulty^ⓘ
• Time to call^ⓘ

Common Myths

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