Nursing Guide: Basic First Aid Resources

First aid is the care initially provided to a person when an injury or illness occurs. It is typically performed by people who are not medical experts but have studied or been taught how to deal with certain injuries or illnesses. The main purposes of first aid are to preserve a person's life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. Examples of first aid include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), helping choking victims, taking a person's vital signs, and cleaning and applying bandages to minor cuts and wounds. First Aid Kit.

It is important to know first aid because it can prevent injuries or illnesses from progressing in severity, and it can save lives. There are certain first aid skills that are critically important to know. One such skill set is known as the ABC's of first aid. This stands for airway, breathing, and circulation. When performing this life-saving measure, you check that the airway is not obstructed and clear it if necessary, then you assess the person's breathing and perform rescue breathing if needed, and finally you assess the person's circulation by checking for a pulse and provide chest compressions if necessary. In 2010, the order of the CPR steps was changed from ABC to CAB.

First aid kits are important to have because they can help you be better prepared to help yourself or a loved one when an injury occurs. By just having the standard bandages, ointments, dressings, and medications in a first aid kit, bleeding can be stopped, infection can be prevented or lessened, and heart attack victims can have a greater chance of survival. Most people are aware of how important it is to have a first aid kit at home, but it is equally important to carry a first aid kit with you in your car so that it is available in case of an accident.

Burns

Choking

CPR

Cuts, Scrapes, Scratches, Stitches

Frostbite

Heat Exhaustion

Insect Bites

Nosebleeds

Poisoning

Shock

Unconsciousness

Vital Signs