First Aid is the temporary help given to an injured or a sick person before professional medical treatment can be provided. This timely assistance, comprising of simple medical techniques, is most critical to the victims and is, often, life saving. Any layperson can be trained to administer first aid, which can be carried out using minimal equipments. Basic training in first aid skills should be taught in school, in work places and, in general, be learnt by all, as it is mandatory to our modern and stressful life.

First aid is the immediate help given to somebody who has been injured, or who suddenly becomes ill, before medical help is available. First aid is of two types - one where minor injuries can be dealt with and the other to provide basic care to a seriously injured individual before medical help can be obtained.

• to keep the injured or ill person alive;
• to stop the condition worsening; and
• to promote the recovery of the patient.

These aims can be met with simple skills that require little or no special equipment, but you must always put your own safety first.

If you become a victim yourself, you will not be able to help the person and will make the situation worse. This section will delineate you information on how to practice first aid quickly, calmly and effectively.

Reading this section gives you the underpinning knowledge to carry out first aid, but the term first aid is generally applied to somebody who has completed a set standard of training with an accredited training provider, such as the British Red Cross.

Perform the practical work in first-aid and helps in tackling the emergency sitution.

However, even if you are untrained there are simple measures that you can take at an emergency scene that can save lives.

This section will provide you with clear instructions to help you deal with common first aid situations.

Each portion in this chapter covers a particular aspect of first aid.

First aid for children and infants often requires different techniques, and these are clearly explained when they need to be done.

First Aid Articles describe how to assess a casualty so that appropriate treatment can be given while you wait for medical assistance.

There are also practical discussions of emergency procedures, including checking for breathing and circulation, placing a person in the recovery position, and life-saving techniques such as giving rescue breaths (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation) if breathing has stopped,

Asthma, heart attack, epilepsy and allergic reactions may also require in emergency treatment.

Specific injuries such as head and eye , broken bones and spinal injuries are also covered in this section.

Although these may not be immediately life- threatening, first aid may help someone recover more quickly and avoid permanent damage.

Most first aid situations will involve no more than minor cuts and bruises, but you should be equipped to deal with major accidents or emergencies,and you will need to understand and practice the techniques detailed in this section to give first aid effectively.

You should also keep a well-stocked first aid box and that is accessible in an emergency but kept out of the reach of children.