Get answers to the most common questions about first aid

What is first aid?

First aid is a series of simple but life-saving actions that can be performed by one or more people in the event of an emergency or accident until professional help arrives.

First aid can include everything from stopping bleeding and performing CPR to treating minor injuries, such as cuts and sprains. It is important to have knowledge of first aid, as it can be the difference between life and death.

What are the objectives of first aid?

When applying first aid, the objective is to prevent further damage to the injured or ill person. In its most extreme, first aid is about saving lives. For example, if someone has a wound and is bleeding, the objective is to stop the bleeding prior to emergency aid’s arrival. Also, for those who are sick (e.g. with croup cough), steps should be taken to ensure the illness does not exacerbate.

How to get first aid certificate?

You can get a first aid certificate at most places that offer first aid training. We recommend that you focus on your needs. For example, you might not need a long and required first aid course where you learn how to rescue someone who is stuck up high in a crane on a construction site if you work in a child care center. In this care, you might want a shorter first aid course focusing on children.

In case you need a certificate, we can assist you: just sign up for our tailored first aid course here: first aid course.

It is worth bearing in mind that a certificate doesn’t guarantee that you can act in a real situation. Many people have a hard time remembering procedures they’re not often using, which is a main reason for why they become uncomfortable or freeze in a real situation.

Therefore we recommend that you continuously practice your first aid skills, for example by means of micro-training with your Action-cards®.

If you are in doubt about how to best maintain your first aid skills and how often you should renew your first aid course, you can contact us here: contact us.

What is the goal in giving first aid?

The goal in giving first aid is to ensure the safety and comfort of an injured person and decrease the exacerbation of an injury. If, for example, someone injures their leg, preventing them from walking, the best bet would be to call 911 if the issue is severe, and then administer first aid.

How long does a first aid certificate last?

Many professions don’t have a requirement for updated certificates. But in professions that have requirements for updated certificates, it is most common that it should be updated every second year. In some professions, the certificate is only valid for one year.

However, a certificate doesn’t guarantee that you can act in a real situation. If you only have attended an online first aid course, a brief first aid course, or if it’s been months since you attended one, you might be surprised of how you react in a real situation.

Many people have a hard time remembering procedures that they’re not using often, which is a main reason for why they become uncomfortable or freeze in the real situation, or avoid acting and doing first aid because they’re afraid of doing something wrong.

Therefore, we recommend that you continuously maintain your first aid skills, including by means of micro-training with your Action-cards®.

In case you need a certificate, we can assist you with this. Just sign up for our tailored first aid course here: first aid course.

If you are in doubt about how to best maintain your first aid skills and how often you should renew your first aid course, you can contact us here: contact us.

What is first aid treatment?

First aid treatment is a series of simple but life-saving actions that can be performed by one or more people in the event of an emergency or accident until professional help arrives or, in a less serious case, going to the doctor. First aid can include everything from stopping bleeding and performing CPR to treating minor injuries, such as cuts and sprains. It is important to have knowledge of first aid, as it can help save lives and minimize the damage from a possible accident.

What should be in a first aid kit?

First aid kits are essentials to have, whether you’re driving, at the office or at home, or outside. For different activities, you would need different supplies in your kit, but there are some staple items we recommend every first aid kit should have.

If you’re going to buy an effective first aid kit for your home, we recommend ensuring the kit contains antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution or wipes, and alcohol solution. In addition, a variety of bandages of different sizes is preferable, such as normal-sized bandages, butterfly closures, and larger Band-Aids.

We also recommend gauze to suppress bleeding and tape to hold it in place. A cold pack is always a good addition, and we recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief of pain, along with first aid swabs to apply ointment. Some small tools like tweezers and scissors and latex-free disposable gloves are also necessary.

If you buy a decent first aid kit, remember you can always add first aid options you think are necessary, such as splints and bee-sting relief, based on the location and activities you’re preparing for.

We can help you put together your ideal first aid kit tailored to your profession – please get in contact with us here: contact us.

Why is first aid important?

First aid is important for many reasons. First of all, it can save lives when someone has been hurt, injured, or becomes sick. An early proper treatment of someone who is injured can make them recover faster and save large amounts of health care costs for society.

First aid training also ensures that you will increase your risk awareness. Because of this, you’ll become much better at spotting risks, and thereby preventing accidents.

Having first aid skills will also make you much more confident in administering first aid if and when someone gets hurt. Some people may not be prepared to do first aid, and might avoid acting and saving a life.

Legally, it is also important that you are qualified in doing first aid as many countries have legislations that require staff (e.g. at schools and other workplaces) to have obtained first aid skills.

In general, an incorrect or bad first aid treatment might also put you at risk of costly lawsuits, which is another reason why it’s important to be able to do first aid.

Why is it important to understand and follow the basics of first aid?

To understand and follow the basics of first aid entails being able to treat friends, colleagues, and others (even yourself) with quality health assistance in the absence of a doctor.

If you are ever out and have a friend or family member who falls ill or is in need of first aid, knowing the basics is a good way to assist, and may save their life. Carrying bandages and ointment is always a good start, but enrolling in a first aid course can significantly improve the chances of offering someone life-saving assistance in the absence of a doctor and before an ambulance arrives.

Also, remember it’s always a good idea to have a cell phone available or internet access in case you need to make a call to emergency services. In case you need a certificate, we can assist you with this if you sign up for our tailored first aid course here: first aid course.

What should we remember when giving first aid?

When you’re in an emergency or are a witness to an accident there are a few important step-by-step points that are good to remember.

First, you, as a layperson, need to assess this situation. What is the emergency? Is it a major incident, a traffic accident or someone who got a minor cut or burn?

Second, if you’re not safe in the situation, then you need to create safety for yourself and, if possible, anyone in the emergency situation. If you’re not safe, then you could be at risk when you’re giving first aid. This could result in you being injured as well.

Third, if needed, you should raise the alarm by calling the emergency number in your area if life is in danger in any way or if you have the slightest doubt about whether life is in danger. You should also call the emergency number if any property of a certain value is at risk of being damaged (e.g. by a fire). For the U.S. and Canada, the emergency number is 911, for the U.K. it’s 999, and for Australia it’s 000.

Fourth, if it is safe for you, start giving life-saving first aid. This could be CPR, stopping heavy bleeding, or doing the Heimlich maneuver if an adult is choking.

Fifth, you should help with non-life-threatening issues: these may include minor burn wounds, splinters, bumps, nosebleeds, etc.

Sixth, when the actual emergency situation is ending, the recovery phase starts. Someone might be in need of mental first aid, and you can help with the initial step. Listen to what the injured person says, be supportive, perhaps get a blanket, something warm to drink, or other things that might help someone who has been in an emergency or highly stressful situation. It could also be that you’re a witness who can tell the professional emergency services, when they arrive, what you saw happening.

Seventh, finally, you should consider if you need to talk to someone about what you have witnessed. This could be in a debriefing, diffusion, or talk with someone close to you or a therapist or specialist in crisis psychology.

How can knowing common first aid skills help prevent infection and facilitate the healing process?

Knowing first aid skills to help prevent infection can facilitate the healing process. If, for example, you are out with friends and someone falls and begins to bleed from an open wound, it is best to administer antibiotic ointment and clean the cut before adding a plaster or bandage.

This will help prevent infection and facilitate a better healing process. However, for more serious injuries, such as snake bites, strains or sprains, or allergic reactions, we recommend that you have Action-cards® for confident first aid with you and that you participate in our first aid courses.

What is ABC in first aid?

ABC in first aid is a technique used to assess and prioritize a person’s life-threatening condition. ABC stands for Airway, Breathing and Circulation.

First, you must ensure the A, which is that the person must have free airways and can breathe freely.

Then you have to ensure the B, which is that the person has breath and is breathing normally.

Finally, you must ensure the C, which is that the blood must be pumped around the body by the heart. Here, it is important to immediately stop any heavy bleeding and, in the event of cardiac arrest, do CPR/chest compressions.

ABC in first aid is essential in emergency situations where quick and effective action can save lives.

What is CPR in first aid?

In first aid, CPR is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. CPR is a step-by-step method where you are helping a person who has cardiac arrest with circulating blood through the veins in the body by making chest compressions.

This is often combined with mouth-to-mouth ventilation. For adults, the sequence is 30 compressions and then 2 breaths, also known as 30:2” The frequency of the chest compressions is 100 per minute for adults.

If someone has a cardiac arrest, it’s important to raise the alarm by calling the emergency number in your area as early as possible to ensure a quick medical treatment from the professional emergency services.

We recommend that you always have Action-cards® for confident first aid at your disposal to ensure the correct first aid treatment from the beginning, and whether it’s first aid for children or adults.

What is the first aid treatment for heart attack?

If you suspect that someone has a heart attack, then you should call for help, and ask someone to call 911 and retrieve the AED while you stay with the person. Remember to speak gently and create a calm environment around the person.

If possible, help the person to sit on the floor and bend their knees. If the person has heart medicine (e.g. nitroglycerin), you might assist with administering it. Remain with the person until medical personnel arrive and if the person becomes unconscious, immediately start CPR.

What does RICE stand for in first aid?

In first aid, RICE is an acronym of the first letter in the following four words: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Make sure to relieve pressure by lying down, putting ice on the stress, compressing it, and elevating it.

Have an ice pack in a first aid box to prevent further suffering from strains and sprains. If you’re in doubt about the injury and think it may be more serious than a sprain (e.g. a broken bone), call emergency services in your area and let them advise on further action.

What is first aid kit?

A first aid kit is the kit you use to help someone who is hurt or injured. The first aid kit can vary a lot depending on where you are. A first aid kit can include epinephrine that can be used for an allergic reaction, an AED that is used if someone has a cardiac arrest, and can also be something as simple as a bandage.

What is in a first aid kit?

What you should have in your first aid kit depends on your profession. If the first aid kit is for your home, then we recommend that you have antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution or wipes, and alcohol solution.

In addition, a variety of bandages of different sizes is preferable, such as normal-sized bandages, butterfly closures, and larger Band-Aids. Other additions include cold packs, gauze to suppress bleeding, and adhesive tape to support and secure gauze.

We also recommend that you have over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or Advil, for relief of pain, and cotton balls or first aid swabs to apply ointment. Some small tools like tweezers and scissors and latex-free disposable gloves are also necessary.

If you buy a first aid kit, remember you can always add various first aid options, such as splints and bee-sting relief, based on the location and activities you’re preparing for.

We can help you put together your ideal first aid kit tailored to your profession – please get in contact with us here: contact us.

What are the 5 key steps of first aid?

When you’re in an emergency or are a witness to an accident, we recommend you follow these 5 key steps to provide the best possible first aid in the situation:

First, you, as a layperson, need to assess this situation. What is the emergency? Is it a major incident, a traffic accident, or someone who got a minor cut or burn?

Second, if you’re not safe in the situation, you need to create safety for yourself, and if possible, anyone in the emergency situation. If you’re not safe, you could be at risk when you’re giving first aid. This could result in you being injured, as well.

Third, if needed, you should raise the alarm by calling the emergency number in your area if life is in danger or if you have the slightest doubt about whether life is in danger. You should also call the emergency number in your area if any property of a certain value is at risk of being damaged (e.g. by a fire). For the U.S. and Canada, the emergency number is 911, for the U.K. it’s 999, and for Australia, it’s 000.

Fourth, if it is safe for you, start giving life-saving first aid. This could be CPR, stopping a heavy bleeding, or doing the Heimlich maneuver if an adult is choking.

Fifth, you should help with non-life-threatening issues: these include minor burn wounds, splinters, bumps, nosebleeds, etc.

You could also add these two steps if the emergency has been severe:

Sixth, when the actual emergency situation is ending, the recovery phase starts. Someone might be in need of mental first aid, and you can help with the initial step. Listen to what the injured person says, be supportive, perhaps get a blanket, something warm to drink, or other things that might help someone who has been in an emergency or highly stressful situation. It could also be that you’re a witness who can tell the professional emergency services when they arrive what you saw happening.

Seventh, finally, you should consider if you need to talk to someone about what you have witnessed. This could be in a debriefing, diffusion, or talk with someone close to you or a therapist or specialist in crisis psychology.

What is shock in first aid?

Shock is a life-threatening condition that can be caused by anything that reduces the flow of blood. This can include heart problems, heavy bleeding, loss of bodily fluids (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting, or burns), severe allergic reactions, etc.

People with severe shock will usually fall down, so help them lie down and wrap them in a warm blanket to prevent them from being cold. Call the emergency number in your area and explain that you think the person is in shock.

What is the first aid treatment for shock?

First, don’t start any first aid before you, yourself, are safe. If the person is not already lying down, help the person lie down, if possible. Then, you should immediately call the emergency service in your area and explain that you suspect a person is in shock. If the person becomes unconscious and stops breathing, you should start CPR.

What is first aid box?

A first aid box is a box – or a bag – that contains a first aid kit. The contents of a first aid box can vary a lot, depending on where you are. If you’re at home, then it would usually contain things such as bandages or plasters, scissors, antibiotic gels or creams, and eyewash. At a workplace with many hazards, you’ll probably have a larger first aid bag, with triangular bandages, AED, oxygen, perhaps a spin board, and much more.

What is mental health first aid?

Mental health first aid is about providing help to a person who has or is developing a mental health problem. This could be a mental health crisis, but it covers the full range of mental disorders. It is desirable to provide some kind of mental first aid to a person until professional help can be provided.

If you’re in doubt about how a person with a mental health issue may react, you might want to call emergency services and let trained professionals guide you on how to best administer care. Always make sure you are safe before giving first aid to other people. In the U.S. you can also consider contacting the Suicide Prevention Hotline (988) or Crisis Text Line (741741).

What is AED in first aid?

An AED is an automated external defibrillator that can help someone experiencing cardiac arrest. Today, there exists a great variety of AEDs: some you can get at a low cost, while advanced AEDs for professional rescue services might cost more.

If you don’t have access to an AED, it’s still important that you know how to do CPR until professional emergency personnel arrive. If you want to learn how to use an AED, we recommend that you join one of our first aid courses here: first aid course.

What is the first aid for snake bite?

If someone suffers from a snake bite, call emergency services immediately and follow their instructions. It’s important that they move as little as possible and do not pump much blood around the body. Treat any snake bite immediately.

Keep the bite area as low as possible in relation to the rest of the body and do not try to remove venom by squeezing, cutting, or sucking the bite area.

If the person becomes unconscious and stops breathing, start CPR.

While waiting for emergency services to arrive, dress the wound with a soft bandage and make sure the individual is comfortable.

Also, note the time of the snake bite, to give medical services the best information.

How long does first aid certificate last?

Not all professions have a requirement for first aid certificates. But in professions that have requirements for updated certificates, it is most common that the certificate is required to be updated every second year. In some professions, the certificate is only valid for one year.

It is worth bearing in mind that a certificate doesn’t guarantee that you can act in a real situation. If you only have attended an online first aid course, a brief first aid course, or if it’s been months since you attended one, then you might be surprised how you react in an actual situation.

Many people have a hard time remembering procedures that they’re not using often, which is a main reason for why they become uncomfortable or freeze in a real situation.

Therefore, we recommend that you continuously maintain your first aid skills by means of micro-training with your Action-cards®.

In case you need a certificate, we can assist you with this if you sign up for our tailored first aid course here: first aid course.

If you are in doubt about how to best maintain your first aid skills and how often you should renew your first aid course, you can contact us here: contact us.

What is a first aid kit?

A first aid kit gives users the ability to administer first aid or medical help to an injured or ill person. Some typical things that you might find in a first aid kit (for homes) can be: antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution or wipes, and alcohol solution.

In addition, a variety of bandages of different sizes is preferable, such as normal-sized bandages, butterfly closures, and larger Band-Aids and gauze to suppress bleeding. A cold pack could also be available in the first aid kit, along with adhesive tape to support and secure gauze.

You might also find over-the-counter (OTC) medications for relief of pain, and cotton balls or first aid swabs to apply ointment.

What are 10 items in a first aid kit?

The 10 items in a first aid kit you need to have and that are good for staying prepared in case of an emergency really depend on your profession.

Your first aid box for your home should contain at least plasters or bandages, gauze, and tape to wrap the gauze to make sure the bandage stays properly on the wound.

A cold pack is also essential, as well as over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin. First aid kits also include wooden splints, two gloves, and antibiotic ointment and/or antiseptic towelettes. Many kits also include tools such as tweezers and scissors.

We can help you put together your ideal first aid kit tailored to your profession – please get in contact with us here: contact us.

What is the importance of first aid?

First aid is important because it can save lives and reduce injuries, if applied correctly, until professional medical personnel arrive. It can also provide reassurance to both the injured and the people providing first aid.

By having basic first aid skills, you can help make a difference in an emergency. It is important to remember that competent first aid skills require regular practice, for example, micro-training with your Action-cards® for confident first aid.

How long do first aid certificates last?

Not all professions have a requirement for first aid certificates. But in professions that have requirements for updated certificates, it is most common that the certificate is required to be updated every second year. In some professions, the certificate is only valid for one year.

It is worth bearing in mind that a certificate doesn’t guarantee that you can act in a real situation. If you have only attended an online first aid course, a brief first aid course, or if it’s been months since you attended one, you may be surprised at how you act in a real situation.

Many people have a hard time remembering procedures they’re not often using, which is a main reason for why they become uncomfortable or freeze in a real situation.

Therefore, we recommend that you maintain your first aid skills at a continuous level, for example by micro-training with your Action-cards®.

In case you need a certificate, we can assist you with this. Just sign up for our tailored first aid course here: first aid course.

If you are in doubt about how to best maintain your first aid skills and how often you should renew your first aid course, you can contact us here: contact us.

What are 10 items in a first aid kit and their uses?

10 items in a first aid kit include different ointments, such as antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, and alcohol solution to ensure a cut is cleaned. In addition, a variety of bandages is preferable, such as normal-sized bandages, butterfly closures, and larger bandages to close an open cut.

First aid kits also feature gauze to suppress bleeding. If someone needs swelling reduction for an injury, a cold pack is always a good addition, along with adhesive tape to support and secure gauze.

Many first aid kits also have OTC medications for relief of pain, and cotton balls or first aid swabs to apply ointment. They also have some small tools, such as tweezers for splinter removal and scissors for cutting tape, and latex-free disposable gloves for safe wound treatment.

If you buy a decent first aid kit, some have splints to stabilize broken fingers and bee-sting relief.

How to make first aid box?

To make a first aid box, it’s good to know what your needs are. There can be a significant difference in your needs depending on your profession. For example, if you’re working in a restaurant, you would have different needs than if you work at a construction site or in a child care center.

Some basic items in a first aid box include bandages, tape, and gauze. In addition, you could have Tylenol or Advil, which reduce fever and/or pain, and antibiotic ointments and cleaning solutions. Make sure to have splints, scissors, a cold pack, and bee sting pads. Additionally, mini water bottles are always good if water runs out and someone becomes dehydrated.

We can help you put together your ideal first aid kit tailored to your profession – please get in contact with us here: contact us.

What to put in a first aid kit?

Are you wondering what to put in a first aid kit? What to put in a first aid kit will depend on your profession.

In your first aid kit for your home, we recommend that you have antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution or wipes, and alcohol solution. In addition, a variety of bandages of different sizes is preferable, such as normal-sized bandages, butterfly closures, and larger Band-Aids. Cold packs, gauze to suppress bleeding, and adhesive tape to support and secure gauze are also always good ideas.

We also recommend that you have over-the-counter medications for relief of pain, and cotton balls or first aid swabs to apply ointment. Some small tools like tweezers and scissors and latex-free disposable gloves are also necessary.

If you buy a decent first aid kit, remember you can always add first aid options you think are necessary, such as splints and bee-sting relief, based on the location and activities you’re preparing for.