Physical Education · Ch 5 — Physical Fitness, Wellness and Lifestyle
First Aid
First Aid
The term First Aid was officially adopted in England for the first time in 1879 by St John's Ambulance Association. It refers to the treatment given to a casualty suffering a minor or serious illness or injury, in order to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or promote recovery before professional medical help becomes available. It ranges from initial intervention in a serious condition - such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while waiting for an ambulance - to the complete treatment of a minor condition, such as applying a plaster to a cut. A first-aid procedure is generally carried out by someone with basic medical training.
In short, first aid is the immediate and temporary care given to the victim of an accident, injury or sudden illness, using relatively simple techniques and rudimentary equipment, by any person until professional medical assistance arrives.
Do you know? The Red Cross and Red Crescent are still the largest providers of first aid worldwide.
Aims and objectives of first aid
- To prepare properly for any emergency so as to avoid errors and act quickly and calmly.
- To assess and address life-threatening conditions first.
- To minimise further injury, infection and complications.
- To make the victim as comfortable as possible, helping them save energy.
- To transport the victim to a medical facility as necessary.