🩹 First Aid Basics Everyone Should Know

1. Bleeding: press firmly with a clean cloth directly on the wound for 10 full minutes without peeking; elevate the limb; if blood soaks through, add more cloth on top (don't remove the first). Tourniquets only for life-threatening limb bleeding, high and tight, note the time.

2. Burns: cool under RUNNING water 20 minutes (not ice — ice damages tissue); remove jewellery/clothing unless stuck; cover loosely with cling film or clean cloth; NEVER apply butter, toothpaste or oil. Blisters: don't pop. Deep or large burns → emergency.

3. Choking (adult/child): encourage coughing; if ineffective, give 5 back blows (between shoulder blades, leaning them forward), then 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich — fist above the navel, grab with other hand, pull in and up). Alternate until the object comes out or they collapse → start CPR.

4. Fainting: lay the person flat, raise the legs, loosen tight clothing; check breathing; if they don't wake within a minute, call emergency services. Never give food/drink to a semi-conscious person.

5. Fractures & sprains: don't straighten a deformed limb; immobilise as found (splint with a magazine/padding); ice 15-20 min for sprains; elevation. Suspected neck/spine injury: keep the head still and call professionals.

6. CPR basics (adult): check responsiveness + breathing (≤10s); call emergency services; hands in the centre of the chest, 5-6cm deep, 100-120 compressions/min ("Stayin' Alive" tempo); 30 compressions : 2 rescue breaths if trained; continue until help arrives. Defibrillators (AED): follow the voice prompts — they literally walk you through it.

7. Poisoning: call a poison centre/emergency; do NOT induce vomiting; keep the container; if the person collapses or has seizures → emergency. Bring the poison packaging to hospital.

The one rule: your safety first — check the scene before helping. And every family should have a first-aid kit (plasters, gauze, antiseptic, bandages, thermometer, paracetamol, scissors, gloves) and know the local emergency number.

← Back to health literacy