First Aid Basics

Essential Skills Everyone Should Know

What Is First Aid?

First aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly ill. It's the bridge between the emergency and professional medical care. Basic first aid skills can save lives, prevent conditions from worsening, and promote recovery. You don't need to be a medical professional to learn these skills—everyone can benefit from knowing first aid basics. In an emergency, seconds matter, and your knowledge can make the difference.

First aid is not a substitute for professional medical care, but it's what you do while waiting for help to arrive.

First Aid Priorities

Essential First Aid Skills

CPR Basics

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

✓ Hands-only CPR: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of 'Stayin' Alive.' Learn proper technique—it saves lives.

Bleeding Control

Stopping blood loss

✓ Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Elevate if possible. Use tourniquet for life-threatening bleeding on limbs that won't stop.

Choking Response

Heimlich maneuver

✓ Stand behind, wrap arms, make a fist above the navel, thrust inward and upward. For conscious adults who can't breathe, speak, or cough.

Shock Management

Preventing shock complications

✓ Lie the person down, keep warm, elevate legs if possible (unless injured), don't give food or drink. Shock can be fatal.

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Common Symptoms

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Warning Signs (Seek Care)

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pages.first-aid-basics.diagnosis.heading

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pages.first-aid-basics.prevention.heading

Responding to an Emergency

Check the Scene

Make sure it's safe for you to help. Look for dangers: traffic, fire, electrical hazards, violent behavior, gas leaks. Don't become a victim yourself.

Call 911 Immediately

Call or have someone else call. Provide your location, what happened, number of victims, and your phone number. Don't hang up first.

Check the Person

Tap and shout to check responsiveness. Look for chest rise to check breathing. If unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR if trained.

Control Bleeding

Severe bleeding is life-threatening. Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage. Maintain pressure until help arrives.

Treat for Shock

Keep the person warm with a blanket. Lie them down if possible. Elevate feet unless head/neck/abdominal injury. Reassure them.

Don't Move Injured People

Unless there's immediate danger (fire, etc.), don't move someone who may have a spine injury. Keep them still and comfortable.

Provide Reassurance

Stay calm. Speak reassuringly. Explain what you're doing. Your calm presence helps reduce panic and anxiety.

Stay Until Help Arrives

Don't leave the person alone. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Be ready to provide information to emergency responders.

First Aid Facts

350,000+

Cardiac arrests occur outside hospitals annually in the US

2x

Survival doubles with immediate CPR

less than 50%

Of Americans know how to perform CPR

Frequently Asked Questions

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