First Aid

Overview

First aid is the immediate help you give to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill, before professional medical help arrives. It includes simple actions like cleaning a cut, applying pressure to a wound, or placing someone in a safe position. The goal is to keep the person stable, prevent further harm, and support recovery.

Very common. Most people will need to provide or receive first aid at some point in their lives.

Anyone can need first aid – from a child with a grazed knee to an older adult with chest pain. People of all ages can also learn to provide it.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Cuts and scrapes with bleeding
• Burns or scalds
• Something stuck in the throat (choking)
• Sudden chest pain or trouble breathing
• Fainting or unresponsiveness
• Falls or suspected broken bone

Symptoms in children

• High temperature with a rash
• Choking on a small object
• Poisoning from household products
• Burns from hot drinks or surfaces

Symptoms in older adults

• Falls and head bumps
• Sudden weakness or difficulty speaking (possible stroke)
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Confusion or dizziness

Causes

Main causes

• Accidents at home, work, or on the road
• Everyday injuries like cuts, burns, and falls
• Sudden medical events such as a heart attack, stroke, or seizure
• Allergic reactions, choking, or poisoning

Risk factors

• Living alone or being alone often
• Working in high-risk environments (kitchens, machinery, heights)
• Caring for young children or older adults
• Having a chronic condition like heart disease, diabetes, or epilepsy

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If the person is not breathing or has a severe allergic reaction – call emergency services now
• If you suspect a heart attack or stroke – call for an ambulance immediately
• If bleeding will not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure
• If a burn is large, deep, or on the face, hands, or genitals

Book a routine appointment if:

• A wound that seems infected (redness, swelling, warmth, pus)
• A minor burn that blisters
• After a fall, if the person has any unusual symptoms
• A possible allergic reaction that is not severe

Diagnosis

In first aid, 'diagnosis' is not a formal process. Instead, you make a quick assessment: check if the person is awake, breathing, and has any obvious injuries. Professional medical staff will do a more detailed assessment once they arrive.

Tests that may be done

• Check if the person can speak or respond
• Look for normal breathing
• Check for severe bleeding or injuries
• Ask about pain or discomfort

What to expect at your appointment

In an emergency, you may be asked to stay on the phone with the emergency dispatcher, who will guide you through first aid steps while help is on the way. Medical professionals will then take over when they arrive.

Treatment

First aid treatment depends on the situation, but the priority is always to protect life. This means ensuring the person can breathe, stopping severe bleeding, and calling for help when needed.

Self-care at home

• For minor cuts, rinse the wound with clean water and cover with a sterile dressing
• For burns, cool with running water for at least 20 minutes and cover loosely
• For a sprain, rest, apply ice wrapped in a cloth, compress, and elevate the limb
• For choking, encourage coughing first – if the person cannot breathe, call emergency services

Medical treatments

Professional medical treatment will depend on the underlying problem. It may include wound cleaning and closure, medications for pain or infection, oxygen support, or monitoring in a hospital. Always follow the advice of your healthcare provider. Do not give any medication you are not directed to give by a professional.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for first aid itself, but some injuries – such as deep cuts, broken bones, or internal injuries – may require a surgical procedure to repair. This would be decided by a hospital specialist.

Living with this condition

First aid is not a condition you live with – it is a skill you carry with you. You can make a habit of being prepared: learn basic first aid, keep a small first aid kit at home and in your car, and know your local emergency number.

Lifestyle tips

• Take a first aid course and refresh your skills regularly
• Keep emergency numbers visible near your home phone or saved on your mobile
• Check your home for hazards like loose rugs, slippery floors, or chemicals within reach

Diet and exercise

A healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your risk of many medical emergencies, such as heart attacks and falls. Strength and balance exercises are especially helpful for older adults.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Witnessing an emergency can be stressful. Even if you did everything right, you might feel shaken or worried afterwards. This is normal. Feel free to talk to a healthcare professional if distressing feelings continue.

Prevention

You cannot prevent all emergencies, but you can reduce many risks. Being trained in first aid is the best way to be ready to help when something happens.

Vaccines

Keeping yourself and your family up to date on routine vaccinations can prevent illnesses that sometimes lead to emergencies, such as meningitis or severe infections.

Screening programmes

Regular health check-ups for blood pressure, heart health, and diabetes can help prevent sudden emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks.

Complications

If left untreated

• If a person is not breathing and does not receive CPR, brain damage can begin within minutes
• Severe bleeding without pressure can lead to life-threatening blood loss
• A blocked airway (choking) can cause unconsciousness or death if not cleared
• Head injuries without observation can lead to dangerously increasing pressure in the brain

Long-term outlook

With timely and correct first aid, many people recover fully from injuries and medical events. Every small action – calling for help, applying pressure, or simply staying calm – improves the chances of a positive outcome. Learning first aid means you are ready to be the person who makes a difference.

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