First aid basics

This is not medical training. It is a reminder of basics. Take a first-aid and a Stop the Bleed course, and call emergency services as soon as you can.

First: check, call, care

1. Check the scene is safe for you.
2. Call for help (911 in the US, 112 in Europe), or send someone.
3. Care: treat the most serious problem first. Life threats are, in order: massive bleeding, airway, breathing.

Severe bleeding

1. Press hard directly on the wound with gauze or cloth, and keep pressing.
2. Pack deep wounds in the arm-pit, groin or neck with gauze, then press hard.
3. For bleeding from an arm or leg that pressure will not stop, apply a tourniquet 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) above the wound, not on a joint. Tighten until the bleeding stops. Note the time. It will hurt. Do not loosen it; leave that to medical staff.

Not breathing

Call for help. Start CPR: push hard and fast in the centre of the chest, about 100 to 120 times a minute, at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) deep in adults, letting the chest come fully back up each time. Use an AED as soon as one arrives and follow its voice prompts.

Choking

If the person cannot speak, cough or breathe:

• Adults and children: alternate 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object comes out. If they collapse, call for help and start CPR.
• Infants: 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts. No abdominal thrusts.

Burns

Cool the burn with cool running water for at least 10 minutes, and up to 20 if you can. Remove rings and tight items. Cover loosely with clean plastic wrap or a clean, dry dressing. Do not use ice, butter or ointments. Large, deep, or face, hand or groin burns need medical care.

Broken bones and sprains

Keep the injured part still. Splint it in the position you found it, padding well, including the joints above and below. Check fingers or toes for warmth and colour after splinting.

Shock

Pale, cold, clammy skin, fast pulse, confusion. Lay them down, keep them warm, and treat the cause (often bleeding). Do not give food or drink.

Wounds and infection

Clean small wounds with plenty of clean, disinfected water. Cover with a clean dressing and change it daily. Spreading redness, heat, pus, red streaks or fever mean infection: get care.

Sources

• Stop the Bleed (American College of Surgeons; links only)
• American Red Cross: First aid steps (links only)
• CDC: Emergency wound care after a natural disaster (US government, public domain)
• American Heart Association: CPR and first aid guidelines (links only)
• US Army Techniques Publication ATP 3-50.21, Survival, chapter on survival medicine (US government work, public domain)