first aid basics

First Aid is when you provide basic medical care to someone who is ill or injured until a trained medical professional arrives. By administering care immediately you can save someone's life. It is highly recommended to get First aid training to provide you with adequate and appropriate knowledge of first aid equipment and techniques. To help you prepare for emergencies consider storing a first aid kit in your home and car. You can buy preassembled first aid kits from most department stores or you can make your own first aid kit.  

Bandaid

IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911

  1. Before administering care to a casualty, always make sure the area is safe.
  2. Check to see if the casualty is responsive or unresponsive. Tap their shoulder or ask them questions to see if you can get a response. If they are responsive make sure to obtain consent to provide care.  Send someone to call 911 and get a first aid kit.
  3. Next check to see if the casualty is breathing normally. If they are unresponsive and not breathing start CPR right away. 
  4. Once you have established they are breathing, look for signs of severe bleeding. If they are bleeding severely you will need to control and treat the bleeding by applying direct pressure to the wound. 

First Aid



first aid kit

SOME ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A BASIC FIRST AID KIT ARE:
  • Adhesive Tape
  • Gauze Pads & Roller Gauze (assorted sizes)
  • Antiseptic Ointment
  • Hand Sanitizer (liquid or wipes)
  • Band-Aids (assorted sizes)
  • Plastic Bags
  • Blanket
  • Scissors and Tweezers
  • Cold Pack
  • Small Flashlight and Extra batteries
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Triangular Bandage
  • Thermometer
  • Medicine and Ointment

see below to get more information about first aid and cpr training

Stop the Bleed Course Opens in new window


Through the STOP THE BLEED course, you'll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively. The person next to a bleeding victim may be the one who's most likely to save him or her.  

CPR and ECC

The American Heart Association's CPR & ECC inspires the world to save lives and envisions a world where no one dies from cardiac arrest. 100% of the AHA's profits go back into supporting its lifesaving mission. 

ARC Opens in new window

The American Red Cross has trained people how to respond during times of crisis. American Red Cross offers classes online and a blended simulation learning, which combines online coursework with an in-person skills session.