First Aid Awareness
First aid knowledge can help people respond safely and confidently while professional medical assistance is being arranged.
First aid begins with a safe response.
First aid is immediate assistance given to someone who is injured or suddenly ill before professional medical care becomes available. The goal is to protect life, prevent the situation from worsening and support recovery while appropriate help is obtained.
Four principles to remember
Stay Safe
Before helping, check whether the environment is safe for you, the injured person and others nearby.
Check the Person
Assess responsiveness and look for signs that require urgent emergency assistance.
Call for Help
Get appropriate emergency assistance as quickly as possible when the situation is serious.
Give Appropriate Care
Provide first aid within your level of training while waiting for qualified medical assistance.
Situations where first aid knowledge matters
Bleeding
Serious bleeding can be life-threatening and requires urgent attention.
Burns
Burn injuries should be assessed and managed appropriately, especially when severe.
Choking
Severe choking can rapidly become an emergency and requires immediate action.
Unconsciousness
An unresponsive person may require immediate emergency assessment.
Fractures
Suspected fractures should be protected from unnecessary movement and assessed professionally.
CPR & AED
Cardiac emergencies require rapid emergency response and appropriately trained assistance.
First aid is a skill worth learning.
Reading about first aid is useful, but practical training helps learners develop the confidence and skills needed to respond appropriately.
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