INTRODUCTION:

First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person with either a minor or
serious illness or injury,[1] with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from
worsening, or to promote recovery until medical services arrive. First aid is generally performed
by someone with basic medical training. Mental health first aid is an extension of the concept of
first aid to cover mental health,[2] while psychological first aid is used as early treatment of
people who are at risk for developing PTSD.[3] Conflict First Aid, focused on preservation and
recovery of an individual's social or relationship well-being, is being piloted in Canada.

There are many situations that may require first aid, and many countries have legislation,
regulation, or guidance, which specifies a minimum level of first aid provision in certain
circumstances. This can include specific training or equipment to be available in the
workplace (such as an automated external defibrillator), the provision of specialist first aid
cover at public gatherings, or mandatory first aid training within schools. Generally, five
steps are associated with first aid:
1. Assess the surrounding areas.
2. Move to a safe surrounding (if not already; for example, road accidents are unsafe to be dealt with
on roads).
3. Call for help: both professional medical help and people nearby who might help in first aid such
as the compressions of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Perform suitable first aid depending on the injury suffered by the casualty.
5. Evaluate the casualty for any fatal signs of danger, or possibility of performing the first aid again.
EARLY HISTORY AND WARFARE OF FIRST AID:
Skills of what is now known as first aid have been recorded throughout history, especially in
relation to warfare, where the care of both traumatic and medical cases is required in particularly
large numbers. The bandaging of battle wounds is shown on Classical Greek pottery from c. 500
BC, whilst the parable of the Good Samaritan includes references to binding or dressing wounds.
[4] There are numerous references to first aid performed within the Roman army, with a system
of first aid supported by surgeons, field ambulances, and hospitals.[5] Roman legions had the
specific role of capsarii, who were responsible for first aid such as bandaging, and are the
forerunners of the modern combat medic.[6]
Further examples occur through history, still mostly related to battle, with examples such as
the Knights Hospitaller in the 11th century AD, providing care to pilgrims and knights in
the Holy Land.[7]

AIMS OF FIRST AID:

The primary goal of first aid is to prevent death or serious injury from worsening. The key aims of first
aid can be summarized with the acronym of 'the three Ps':[14]
 Preserve life: The overriding aim of all medical care which includes first aid, is to save lives and
minimize the threat of death. First aid done correctly should help reduce the patient's level
of pain and calm them down during the evaluation and treatment process.
  Prevent further harm: Prevention of further harm includes addressing both external factors,
such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, and applying first aid techniques to
prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed from becoming
dangerous.
 Promote recovery: First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or
injury, and in some cases might involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a
plaster to a small wound.
It is important to note that first aid is not medical treatment and cannot be compared with what a
trained medical professional provides. First aid involves making common sense decisions in the
best interest of an injured person.

TRAINING PRINCIPLES:
Basic principles, such as knowing the use of adhesive bandage or applying direct
pressure on a bleed, are often acquired passively through life experiences. However, to
provide effective, life-saving first aid interventions requires instruction and practical
training. This is especially true where it relates to potentially fatal illnesses and injuries,
such as those that require CPR; these procedures may be invasive, and carry a risk of
further injury to the patient and the provider. As with any training, it is more useful if it
occurs before an actual emergency, and in many countries, emergency ambulance
dispatchers may give basic first aid instructions over the phone while the ambulance is
on the way.
Training is generally provided by attending a course, typically leading to certification.
Due to regular changes in procedures and protocols, based on updated clinical
knowledge, and to maintain skill, attendance at regular refresher courses or re-
certification is often necessary. First aid training is often available through community
organizations such as the Red Cross and St. John Ambulance, or through commercial
providers, who will train people for a fee. This commercial training is most common for
training of employees to perform first aid in their workplace. Many community
organizations also provide a commercial service, which complements their community
programmes.
1.Junior level certificate Basic Life Support
2.Senior level certificate

3.Special certificate

SYMBOLS FOR FIRST AID:

Although commonly associated with first aid, the symbol of a red cross is an official
protective symbol of the Red Cross. According to the Geneva Conventions and other
international laws, the use of this and similar symbols is reserved for official agencies of
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and as a protective emblem for medical
personnel and facilities in combat situations. Use by any other person or organization is
illegal, and may lead to prosecution.
The internationally accepted symbol for first aid is the white cross on a green
background shown below.

Some organizations may make use of the Star of Life, although this is usually reserved
for use by ambulance services, or may use symbols such as the Maltese Cross, like
the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps and St John Ambulance. Other symbols may also be
used.

HOW TO PRACTICE FIRST AID:

The most common term referred to in first aid is ABC. This stands for airway,
breathing, and circulation. A fourth step will appear in the emergency procedures
for some facilities.

 Airway: Make sure the airway is clear. Choking, which results from the
obstruction of airways, can be fatal.
 Breathing: Once the airways are confirmed to be clear, determine whether
the person can breathe, and, if necessary, provide rescue breathing.
 Circulation: If the person involved in the emergency situation is not
breathing, the first aider should go straight for chest compressions and
rescue breathing. The chest compressions will promote circulation. This
saves valuable time. In emergencies that are not life-threatening, the first
aider needs to check the pulse.
 Deadly bleeding or defibrillation: Some organizations consider dressing
severe wounds or applying defibrillation to the heart a separate fourth
stage, while others include this as part of the circulation step.

Evaluating and maintaining ABC with a patient depends on the training and
experience of a first aider. As soon as ABC has been secured, the first aider can
then focus on any additional treatments.

The ABC process must be carried out in that order.

However, there are times when a first aider might be performing two steps at the
same time. This might be the case when providing rescue breathing and chest
compressions to an individual who is not breathing and has no pulse.

FIRST AID KIT:

A first aid kit consists of a strong, durable bag or transparent plastic box. They are
commonly identified with a white cross on a green background. A first aid kit does not
have to be bought ready-made. The advantage of ready-made first aid kits are that they
have well organized compartments and familiar layouts.

CONTENTS IN FIRST AID KIT:

There is no universal agreement upon the list for the contents of a first aid kit. The UK
Health and Safety Executive stress that the contents of workplace first aid kits will vary
according to the nature of the work activities. [26] As an example of possible contents of a
kit, British Standard BS 8599 First Aid Kits for the Workplace[27] lists the following items
 Information leaflet
 Medium sterile dressings
 Large sterile dressings
 Bandages
 Triangular dressings
 Safety pins
 Adhesive dressings
 Sterile wet wipes
 Microporous tape
 Nitrile gloves
 Face shield
 Foil blanket
 Burn dressings
 Clothing shears
 Conforming bandages
 Finger dressing
 Antiseptic cream
 Scissors
 Tweezers
 Cotton
CONCLUSION:
  In conclusion, first aid is a critical set of initial actions and interventions
provided to individuals facing medical emergencies or injuries. Its
primary goal is to stabilize the person's condition, prevent further harm,
and potentially save lives until professional medical help arrives. Being
equipped with basic first aid knowledge and skills empowers individuals
to respond effectively in various situations, making a positive difference
in emergencies. However, it's important to remember that while first aid
can be incredibly valuable, it is not a substitute for proper medical care,
and seeking professional assistance should always be a priority.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
•https://www.wikipedia.org/
•https://chat.openai.com/
•https://www.redcross.org/
•https://www.britannica.com/