First Aid

Summary

Accidents happen. Someone chokes on an ice cube or gets stung by a bee. It is important to know when to call 911 — it is for life-threatening emergencies. While waiting for help to arrive, you may be able to save someone’s life. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is for people whose hearts or breathing has stopped and the Heimlich maneuver is for people who are choking.

You can also learn to handle common injuries and wounds. Cuts and scrapes, for example, should be rinsed with cool water. To stop bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure, using gauze. If blood soaks through, add more gauze, keeping the first layer in place. Continue to apply pressure.

It is important to have a first aid kit available. Keep one at home and one in your car. It should include a first-aid guide. Read the guide to learn how to use the items, so you are ready in case an emergency happens.

Find an Expert

• American College of Emergency Physicians American College of Emergency Physicians
• American Red Cross American Red Cross

Specifics

• Anaphylaxis: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Choking: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Frostbite: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke American Academy of Family Physicians
• Nosebleeds American Academy of Family Physicians
• Seizures Nemours Foundation
• Shock: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Unconsciousness, First Aid VisualDX
• What Do I Need in My First Aid Kit? American Academy of Family Physicians

Patient Handouts

• Bleeding Medical Encyclopedia
• Lacerations – liquid bandage Medical Encyclopedia
• Poisoning first aid Medical Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia

• Breathing difficulties – first aid Medical Encyclopedia
• Capillary nail refill test Medical Encyclopedia
• Cardiogenic shock Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking – adult or child over 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking – infant under 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Choking – unconscious adult or child over 1 year Medical Encyclopedia
• Drug use first aid Medical Encyclopedia
• Ear emergencies Medical Encyclopedia
• First aid kit Medical Encyclopedia
• Fishhook removal Medical Encyclopedia
• Heimlich maneuver Medical Encyclopedia
• How to make a sling Medical Encyclopedia
• How to make a splint Medical Encyclopedia
• Hypovolemic shock Medical Encyclopedia
• Scrape Medical Encyclopedia
• Shock Medical Encyclopedia
• Splinter removal Medical Encyclopedia
• Unconsciousness – first aid Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: First Aid National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Shock National Institutes of Health

Images

• Creating a sling – series — Procedure, part 1 Medical Encyclopedia
• Hand splint – series — Indications Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Emergency 101 American College of Emergency Physicians
• First Aid and Safety Nemours Foundation
• First-Aid Kits: Stock Supplies That Can Save Lives Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Know When to Go American College of Emergency Physicians

Children

• First Aid Tips National Eye Institute
• First Aid: Teeth Injuries (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• How to Handle an Emergency (For Kids) Nemours Foundation
• Teaching Your Child How to Use 911 Nemours Foundation
• What You Need to Know in an Emergency (For Parents) Nemours Foundation

Journal Articles

• First aid

Statistics and Research

• What Is Physical Trauma? National Institute of General Medical Sciences