You don't need a medical degree to help in an emergency. A few clear steps and a small kit can stop bleeding, ease pain, and keep someone stable until professional help arrives. This guide gives short, useful actions you can use at home, at work, or on the road.
For almost every emergency, start by checking the scene. Is it safe for you? If not, call for help and stay back. If it's safe, talk to the person, check if they respond, and call emergency services when needed.
Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC) still matters. If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, call emergency services and start CPR. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest — aim for 100–120 compressions per minute. If you know rescue breaths, add them; if not, hands-only CPR helps.
Severe bleeding: press firm, direct pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. Keep pressure until bleeding slows. If blood soaks through, add more cloth—don’t remove the first one. Elevate the injured limb if it doesn't cause more pain. Use a tourniquet only for life-threatening arm or leg bleeding you can’t control with pressure; note the time you applied it and get emergency help.
Choking: if the person can still cough or speak, encourage coughing. If they can’t breathe, give abdominal thrusts (Heimlich) on adults. For infants, use back blows and chest thrusts. If they collapse, start CPR and call for help.
Burns: cool the burn under running cool (not ice) water for 10–20 minutes. Remove rings or tight items before swelling starts. Cover the burn with a clean non-stick dressing. Do not pop blisters or apply butter, toothpaste, or oily creams.
Keep a compact kit at home and another for your car or backpack. Essentials: adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, a thermometer, elastic bandage, and a CPR face shield. Add pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), antihistamine for allergic reactions, and any personal meds like an inhaler or epinephrine if prescribed.
Check expiry dates every six months and replace used or expired items. Store the kit in a dry, easy-to-reach place and tell family members where it is.
Take a basic first aid and CPR course. Practice gives confidence. If you treat pets sometimes, add a short pet-first-aid section—knowing correct doses and signs of trouble for animals can save a trip to the vet.
When to get professional help: deep or heavily bleeding wounds, head injuries, burns covering large areas, suspected broken bones, severe allergic reactions, poisoning, or any situation where you’re unsure. Acting fast and keeping calm makes the biggest difference.
First aid is about simple, practical actions. Learn the basics, keep a kit handy, and you’ll be ready to help when it matters most.
