Work from danger to life-threatening problems and only then to visible injuries. Follow emergency-service instructions when help arrives.
Use one order of decisions
Check the scene first: traffic, fire, fuel, electricity and poisonous gas can injure a helper. If it is unsafe, keep away, call trained help and keep others back. When approach is safe, check responsiveness, open the airway and assess normal breathing. Then control severe blood loss, protect injuries and avoid unnecessary movement.
| What you find | Reasoning move |
|---|---|
| Unsafe scene | Keep away, alert responders and prevent another exposure |
| No response | Open the airway and check normal breathing |
| Serious bleeding | Use direct pressure and a pressure dressing; record tourniquet time |
| Open wound or fracture | Cover it cleanly, prevent movement and pad around embedded objects |
| Thermal burn | Cool for twenty minutes, leave blisters intact and cover loosely |
| Suspected spinal injury | Minimize movement; keep checking airway and breathing |
Match position to the condition. Normal breathing after unresponsiveness may call for a stable side position; simple fainting may call for raised legs; breathing difficulty may be easier upright. With suspected spinal injury, avoid unnecessary movement.
Official-exam nuances
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for a head injury is a semi-reclined position with the head and torso raised.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for continuous dark bleeding from a fractured arm is to raise the arm and apply a tight dressing.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for chest trauma is to sit the person up with support on the injured side.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for an unconscious person who is breathing is a side position with the head raised.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for heavy bleeding is a tight dressing with pressure at an arterial compression point.
- On the official exam, the accepted resting adult pulse range is 60–80 beats per minute.
- On the official exam, the accepted resting adult breathing range is 12–18 breaths per minute.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for suspected internal abdominal bleeding is to lay the person down and apply cold to the abdomen.
- On the official exam, the accepted first action for an unconscious person in a running-engine garage is to open the garage, stop the engine and remove the person if possible.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for the most dangerous bleeding is blood coming from the wound in a trickle.
- On the official exam, the accepted first action when a broken electrical wire lies on a casualty is to move the wire with an insulating object.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for unconsciousness without further detail is to lay the person down and raise the legs.
- On the official exam, the accepted likely injuries from a low-body vehicle striking an adult-height pedestrian are the legs and head.
- On the official exam, the accepted likely injuries from a low-body vehicle striking a child aged three to five are the pelvis and chest.
- On the official exam, the accepted position for a conscious person with suspected spinal injury is on the back on a hard, flat surface without further movement.
- On the official exam, the accepted care for a bleeding scalp wound includes direct pressure, a compression dressing, a stable side position after unconsciousness and cold if available.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer for loss of consciousness, breathing or circulation is the stable side position.
- On the official exam, the accepted tourniquet limit is one hour in hot weather and half an hour in cold weather.
- On the official exam, the accepted first steps for major arterial bleeding are finger pressure followed by a tourniquet above the wound.
- On the official exam, the accepted answer about giving medication during first aid is that it is prohibited.
- On the official exam, the accepted reasons to remove someone from a vehicle include overturning, fire or explosion risk, severe cold, absent consciousness and breathing, or care that cannot be given inside.
Traps to avoid
- Giving fluids during suspected internal abdominal bleeding. Observe the person and wait for professional care.
- Rubbing frostbitten tissue with snow, wool or alcohol. Warm and protect it gently.
- Forcing exposed abdominal organs back into the wound. Cover and protect them until help arrives.
- Using one bleeding method for every wound. Match pressure, packing or a tourniquet to severity.
Try it
When a victim is found unconscious, the first thing to do is to
- Give him cold water to drink.
- Arrange the victim on his side, in a comfortable position.
- Ensure normal body temperature.
- Clear the airway and check breathing.
If there is a foreign object in the wound of the injured person, it is necessary to help:
- Remove a foreign object from the wound.
- Do not interfere with bleeding.
- Fix the foreign object in a stationary position.
- Treat the wound area with alcohol.
What is the first aid for superficial heat burns (redness, swelling of the skin, blisters filled with transparent fluid at the burned surface, severe pain)?
- Pour cold water on the burned surface, cover with a sterile napkin and bandage tightly.
- Open the blisters, clean the burned surface from the remnants of clothes, cover with a sterile napkin (do not bandage), if possible put a cold matter and give the victim a drink
- Freeze the burned surface with water for 20 minutes. Without opening the blisters, remove the remnants of clothing, cover the burned surface with a sterile cloth (do not bandage), if possible, put a cold matter and give the victim a drink.