Lecture One
Introduction to First Aid
The Definition of First Aid
First Aid : “Help given to a sick or injured person until full medical
treatment is available”
“…provision of initial care for an illness or injury”
First aid
• What is a First aid?
First aid refers to the actions taken in response to someone who is injured or
has suddenly become ill.
• What is a first aider?
A first aider is a person who takes action while taking care to keep everyone
involved safe and to cause no further harm while doing so
Who provides first aid?
Police, firefighters
Ambulance members
Red Crescent members
Bystanders, public members
Relatives, family members, friends
Workmates, teachers
Medical students, anyone ……YOU!
The Aims of First Aid
Broadly, there are three main aims when administering first aid:
1. Preserve life
2. Prevent worsening of the condition (if possible)
3. Promote recovery
For example, applying a plaster is preventing the condition (a cut) from
worsening by stopping infection.
These aims are known as the ‘three Ps’ of first aid
Principles of First Aid
Basic principles of first aid include:
1. Safe response to emergencies for the benefit of casualties, bystanders and rescuers
(Preserve Life)
2. Securing the emergency site to reduce further harm to the casualty (Prevent
Deterioration)
3. Using appropriate first aid procedures and techniques ( Taking immediate action)
4. Safely moving the casualty, minimizing pain and helping stabilize the condition
Principles of First Aid
Basic principles of first aid include:
5. Providing reassurance and guidance to the casualty (Calming down the situation).
6. Communication with bystanders and emergency services personnel (Calling for
medical assistance).
7. Acting in accord with first aid protocol and workplace guidelines (Apply the
relevant treatment).
Characteristics of first aid provider
The following are which a trained first-aider, should possess:
1. Prompt and Quick:
As soon as an accident or injury takes place, the first aider should be prompt and
quick, to render help to the victim, without delay.
2. Calm and Controlled:
He should be a calm and controlled sort of man because he has to take immediate
action, without any fuss or panic.
Characteristics of first aid provider –con,t-
3. Wise and Intelligent:
He should be intelligent and wise enough to decide the immediate
treatment even before a complete diagnosis, especially in case of
serious injuries and severe bleeding, etc.
4. Resourceful:
He should be resourceful enough to make available his first aid material
at once or get the required things on the spot, for giving immediate
relief to the victim.
Characteristics of first aid provider–con,t-
5. Sweet Tempered and Sympathetic:
The first aider should use sweet and encouraging words to lessen the victim’s
distress. He should keep the victim as comfortable as possible and should be
able to allay the victim’s fears with sympathy.
6. Skilful and Tactful:
The first aider should be skilful and tactful to judge the symptoms and
history of the case without wasting any time. If need be, he should be able to
muster requisite support from the crowd.
Characteristics of first aid provider–con,t-
7. Dextrous and Clever:
Should be able to help the injured without causing and/or aggravating pain, and to
use the appliances and/or procedure efficiently and effectively.
8. Confidence and Perseverance:
The first aider should have full faith in his skill to administer whatever assistance
the situation demands, even if there is no response initially. He should have
perseverance and should not give up. It may take time for the patient to respond
to his handling.
Roles and Responsibilities of a First Aider
• A first aider has various roles and responsibilities. They should:
1. Manage the incident and ensure the continuing safety of themselves, bystanders and the
patient
2. Assess victims and find out the nature & cause of their injuries
3. Arrange for further medical help or other emergency services to attend
4. If trained, priorities casualties based upon medical need
5. Provide appropriate first aid treatment as trained
6. If able, make notes/observations of casualties
7. Fill out any paperwork as required
Calling for Emergency Help
In many first aid situations, help from the emergency
services will be required.
Ensure you know the best emergency service
number to use.
Palestinian Red Crescent society 101
Palestinian Civil Defense 102
Accident Police Staff 103
Calling for Emergency Help
Give clear, precise information about
The exact location of the incident and any access problems
The number of casualties / people involved
The nature of their injuries
The age of the victims
Any hazards at the incident (e.g: spilt fuel, fire, electricity)
If the area is remote or difficult to access, consider sending someone to meet
the emergency services.
Emergency medical services (EMS)
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or
paramedic services, are emergency services which treat illnesses and injuries that
require an urgent medical response, providing out-of-hospital treatment and
transport to definitive care.
Body substance isolation (BSI)
Body substance isolation (BSI) is a system of infection precautions intended
to reduce nosocomial transmission of infectious agents among patients and to
reduce the risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus,
and other infectious agents to health care personnel.
Body substance isolation is a practice of isolating all body substances
(blood, urine, feces, tears, etc.
BSI precautions
Hand hygiene
Gloves Wear when touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous
membranes, no intact skin
Facial protection (eyes, nose, and mouth)
Gown.
Prevention of needle stick and injuries from other
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Environmental cleaning
Linens
First Aid - Scene Safety
Make sure the area is safe
What caused the injury or accident?
Ensure Personal Safety
Protect yourself with gloves, masks, before you act.
You wouldn’t work with toxic chemical without the proper
Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Education of health workers, patients and visitors.
Covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions.
Spatial separation of persons with acute febrile respiratory symptoms.
Standard precautions in health care
3. Facial protection (eyes, nose, and
mouth)
Wear (1) a surgical or procedure mask and eye protection (eye visor,
goggles) or (2) a face shield to protect mucous membranes of the eyes,
nose, and mouth during activities that are likely to generate splashes or
Standard precautions in health care
4- Gown
Wear to protect skin and prevent soiling of clothing during activities
that are likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood, body fluids,
secretions, or excretions.
Remove soiled gown as soon as possible, and perform hand hygiene.
Standard precautions in health care
5. Prevention of needle stick and injuries from other
sharp instruments
Use care when:
Handling needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices.
Cleaning used instruments.
Standard precautions in health care
6. Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
Persons with respiratory symptoms should apply source
control measures:
Cover their nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing with tissue or mask, dispose
of used tissues and masks, and perform hand hygiene after contact with
respiratory secretions.
Health-carPlace acute febrile respiratory symptomatic patients at least 1
metre (3 feet) away from others in common waiting areas, if possible.
Post visual alerts at the entrance to health-care facilities instructing persons with
respiratory symptoms to practise respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Consider making hand hygiene resources, tissues and masks available in
common areas and areas used for the e facilities should:
evaluation of patients with respiratory illnesses.
