If someone is injured in an incident, first check that you and the person who is injured are not in any danger. If you are, make the situation safe. When it's safe to do so, assess the person who is injured and, if necessary, dial 999 for an ambulance. You can then carry out basic first aid. The 3
priorities when dealing with a casualty are commonly referred to as ABC, which stands for: If the person appears unresponsive, ask them loudly if they're OK and if they can open their eyes. If they respond, you can leave them in the position they're
in until help arrives. While you wait, keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response: If there's no response, leave the person in the position they're in and open their airway. If this is
not possible in the position they're in, gently lay them on their back and then try to open their airway. To open the airway, place 1 hand on the person's forehead and gently tilt their head back, lifting the tip of the chin using 2 fingers. This moves the tongue away from the back of the throat. Don't push on the floor of the mouth, as this will push the tongue upwards and obstruct the airway. If you think
the person may have a spinal injury, place your hands on either side of their head and use your fingertips to gently lift the angle of the jaw forward and upwards, without moving the head, to open the airway. Take care not to move the person's neck. But opening the airway takes priority over a neck injury. This is known as the jaw thrust technique. BreathingTo check if a person is still breathing:
If they're breathing normally, place them in the recovery position so their airway remains clear of obstructions, and continue to monitor normal breathing. Gasping or irregular breathing is not normal breathing. If the person isn't breathing or is not breathing normally, call 999 for an ambulance and then begin CPR. CirculationIf the person isn't breathing normally, you must start chest compressions immediately. Agonal breathing is common in the first few minutes after a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart stops beating). Agonal breathing is sudden, irregular gasps of breath. This shouldn't be mistaken for normal breathing and CPR should be given straight away. If the person isn't breathing, call 999 for an ambulance and then begin CPR. First aid coursesThe advice given on this page only covers common first aid situations and is not a replacement for taking a first aid training course. Basic first aid courses are run regularly in most areas around the UK. Organisations that offer courses include:
Page last reviewed: 15 March 2022 Most of us think of home as a safe place to be so you may be surprised to know that more accidents happen at home than anywhere else. Statistics published by ROSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) reveal that:
The top 5 accidents in and around the home and how to deal with themThe type of accident that happen in the home vary according to age with young children and the elderly suffering more injuries than other age groups:
First Aid for Falls
If the casualty IS responsive (conscious):
First Aid for Burns
Watch this video for more information on treating burns Most burns are preventable and a huge amount of long term pain and scarring can be avoided by taking a few simple steps to prevent burns from happening. Find out more here.
Common choking hazards include:
How do I know if someone is choking? If you think someone is choking, say “Are you choking?” If choking is mild, they will be able to cough and to say “yes” to your question. If choking is severe, they will be unable to speak, breathe or cough. They need your help urgently – they will become unconscious if left untreated.
First Aid for a Choking Adult or Child
Not working?
Not working?
Place one hand in a clenched fist between their belly button and the bottom of their chest. With your other hand, grasp your fist and pull sharply inwards and upwards up to five times. After each back blow, check to see if the obstruction has cleared or if there’s anything in their mouth. Not working? Call 999 immediately Repeat the cycle of 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until help arrives, re-checking their mouth each time. If they become unresponsive at any point, prepare to start CPR. To find out how to treat a choking baby download our free choking poster here.
First Aid for BleedingIf you are treating someone else always try to put on protective gloves before giving first aid, then:
When to seek medical help: You should seek advice from your pharmacist or GP if the cut becomes infected. You can also visit the local walk-in centre or minor injuries unit for medical assistance. Signs of infection include:
First Aid for a wound with an embedded objectIf an object is embedded in a wound, do not remove it, as this could cause further damage. The object may also be stemming any bleeding.
NOTE: Build it up to avoid pressure on the object
NOTE: Apply the bandage in a criss-cross method to avoid pressure on the object
First Aid for PoisoningTreatment for a corrosive substance such as bleach, acid
Treatment for a non-corrosive substance such as medication
Treatment for an inhaled poison such as fumes or smoke
This guidance is for information purposes only and is not a replacement for taking a first aid training course. Safe and Sound run regular open courses in central London or on-site courses in your workplace or home, 7 days a week across the UK. Where are the multiple accident victims which type of injury should be the first to receive emergency treatment?Any victim with breathing difficulty, unconsciousness or damaged airway should be sent to the nearest hospital at the earliest – such victims should be given utmost care & greater priority over other victims.
What injuries should be treated first?If you're in any doubt, treat the injury as a broken bone. If the person is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or is bleeding severely, these must be dealt with first, by controlling the bleeding with direct pressure and performing CPR.
Who are accident victims?Accident victims in road traffic are all those injured or killed as a result of accidents in road traffic (including passengers).
When suffering from a head or chest injury a patient in shock should be placed in which position?The injured person should lie down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary, and avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it. Stop any bleeding.
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