BASIC FIRST AID
Assess
Objectives
a) Define the basic first aid and its principle.
b) Value the importance of first aid
c) Apply the proper procedure of first aid from the given
situation.
What is First Aid?
First Aid is defined as the first and immediate assistance
given to any person suffering from either a minor or serious
illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the
condition from worsening or to promote recovery, until
professional helps arrives to take over.
Little History of First Aid
St. John Ambulance was the first to use the concept of
first aid in the United Kingdom in 1879. The practical skills of first
aid have continued to evolve and there has been somewhat of a
separation between first aid and emergency medicine. Today,
ambulances in this country are staffed by personnel who not only are
familiar with first aid but who also have more advanced training as
paramedics and EMTs (emergency medical technicians).
Aims of First Aid
The primary aim of first aid is to provide immediate
assistance to an injured or ill person until professional medical
help arrives. The goals of first aid are to preserve life, prevent
further harm, promote recovery, and reduce the risk of
complications.
Specifically, the aims of first aid are:
o To assess the situation and identify any potential
hazards or dangers to the rescuer and the casualty.
o To provide initial treatment and care to the casualty,
such as stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and protecting
the injured or affected area.
o To monitor the casualty's condition and provide
ongoing care until medical professionals arrive.
o To provide emotional support and reassurance to the
casualty and their family members or bystanders.
o To prevent the casualty's condition from worsening by
taking appropriate action, such as administering
medication, immobilizing fractures, or providing CPR.
o To communicate effectively with emergency services
and provide accurate information about the casualty's
condition and any necessary actions taken.
o To promote safety and prevent accidents by educating
people on how to avoid injury and respond to
emergency situations.
4 Essential Steps In First Aid
o Assess
o Plan
o Implement
o Evaluate
Assess the situation. Check for any potential danger to
yourself, bystanders or the patient and make sure that the
situation is safe.
Plan
Plan for Intervention. Call for help or ask someone to call
for medical or professional help.
a. Plan for what action to take until professional help arrives,
based on the initial or primary assessment.
b. Determine how much help you can give based on what skills
you have.
c. Ensure your ongoing safety as a rescuer.
Implement
Implement first aid . Give first aid for life-threatening
emergency and specific injury based on the initial assessment.
Evaluate
Last, you’ll need to evaluate the effectiveness of the first
aid actions that have been undertaken. You might need to repeat
the actions taken within the previous steps. Based on your
evaluation, you’ll get to decide what to do next; continue to
repeat Steps 1-3 or wait until emergency services arrive.
The First Aid Principle
1. Stay calm. Do not take risks for yourself, the injured
person or any witnesses
2. Manage the situation to give safe access to the person
3. Manage the patient in line with current first aid
guidance
4. Do things step by step.
Emergency Kit Materials
Alcohol
is used to clean and disinfect the skin, so make sure to use
these before dressing a wound.
Band-Aid/Bandages
Bandages can be used to support injured joints, secure
dressings and control bleeding
Gloves
Gloves help keep your hands clean and lessen your
chance of getting germs that can make you sick.
Gauze Pad
To treat excessive bleeding, using a gauze pad in tandem
with medical tape will be more effective than a traditional
bandage.
Cotton
 BASIC FIRST AID
Cotton is used for cleaning wounds as well as padding
and protection.

Betadine
Betadine rapidly kills bacteria commonly responsible for
wound and skin infections.

Medical Tape
Medical adhesive tape, or surgical tape, is used to attach
bandages, gauze, and other dressings to the skin around wounds.

Scissors
Scissors can be used for cutting gauze, bandages, and
tape, but they may also be necessary for cutting away clothing to
expose injured areas.

RICE Method
R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation,
and taking these simple steps following a strain, sprain, or other
similar injury can help you more quickly recover and get back to
everyday activities.

Rest
Immediately rest the affected area as much as possible.
Experts recommend 24 to 48 hours of no weight-bearing activities.
Continued use of a moderate or severely sprained ankle can delay
healing, increase pain, or even worsen the injury. With a mild
sprain, activity is generally tolerated after 24 to 48 hours of rest.

Ice
To help reduce pain and swelling during the first 48 hours
after injury, ice the area 20 minutes at a time every 4 hours, using
an ice pack covered in a towel. If you don’t have an ice pack
handy, an alternative would be to use a bag of frozen peas, corn, or
other veggies. Try not to ice the injury for more than 20 minutes
at a time, as it may actually cause further tissue damage

Compression
Using an elastic medical bandage, wrap the area to help
decrease swelling and internal bleeding (if present). The wrap
should be snug, but make sure you have proper circulation. Some
signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling,
increased pain, coolness, or swelling. If you think you need to use
the wrap for more than 48 to 72 hours, you may have a more serious
issue that requires prompt medical attention.

Elevation
Raise the injured body part above heart level so that
gravity can move fluids away from the injured area.