Principles of Basic First Aid

Understanding the Role of a First Aider

The primary role of a first aider is to provide immediate, basic care to sick or injured individuals.
The first aider must remember the three P’s: preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery.
A first aider’s role is also to reassure and comfort the person who is ill or injured.
Ensure the surrounding environment is safe before offering any aid.

Before providing first aid, it is essential to obtain consent.
For those who are unconscious and unable to provide consent, it is assumed in the interest of saving their life or preventing further injury.
Consent for under-16s should come from a parent or guardian unless it’s an immediate life-threatening situation.

In cases with multiple casualties, it’s crucial to triage, or prioritise based on the severity of their condition.
An individual in an unconscious state or those with life-threatening conditions like blocked airways should be attended to first.

DRABC stands for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.
Danger: Assess the situation for potential dangers before approaching to give aid.
Response: Check if the patient is responsive by speaking to them.
Airway: Make sure the patient’s airway is open and clear.
Breathing: Check if the patient is breathing. If not, start performing chest compressions and rescue breaths.
Circulation: Look for signs of circulation such as coughing, movements, or normal colour of skin.

As a first aider, understand your limitations. Always call for professional medical help when the situation is beyond your first aid knowledge or if the condition worsens.

Respect for privacy and maintaining confidentiality is paramount in first aid.
Only share information about the person’s health with medical professionals or if the person gives permission.

It’s important to accurately document any first aid provided, especially in the workplace. Include details of the injury, what aid was given and the person’s response.
These records may be needed for legal or insurance purposes, and can be helpful in improving first aid responses in the future.