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Quick First Aid Guide

Immediate actions before the ambulance arrives — CPR, choking, bleeding, and more.

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Call Emergency Services First

This is basic guidance only. Always call your local emergency number immediately — do not let first aid delay that call. This guide does not replace professional first aid training. Consider taking a certified course before you travel.

📞 Call Emergency Now 112

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CPR (Adult) Most Critical

6 steps

1
Call 112 / 911 / local emergency number FIRST before starting CPR.
2
Place the heel of your hand on the centre of the chest (lower half of breastbone).
3
Push hard and fast — at least 2 inches (5cm) deep, 100–120 compressions per minute.
4
After 30 compressions, tilt head back, lift chin, give 2 rescue breaths (optional if untrained).
5
Continue the 30:2 cycle until emergency services arrive or the person starts breathing.
6
Use an AED (defibrillator) if one is nearby — turn it on and follow voice instructions.

💡 Hands-only CPR (compressions without rescue breaths) is still effective. Do not stop unless you are physically unable to continue.

Red Cross CPR Guide →

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Choking (Adult) Time Critical

7 steps

1
Ask 'Are you choking?' — if they cannot speak, cough, or breathe, act immediately.
2
Lean them forward and give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3
If back blows don't work: stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist.
4
Make a fist with one hand, place it thumb-side just above their navel.
5
Give 5 sharp inward-and-upward thrusts (Heimlich manoeuvre).
6
Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or they lose consciousness.
7
If unconscious: lower them to the floor, call emergency, begin CPR.

💡 For pregnant people or infants, modify technique — use chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

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Severe Bleeding

7 steps

1
Call emergency services immediately for severe or uncontrolled bleeding.
2
Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, bandage, or clothing.
3
Do NOT remove the cloth if it becomes soaked — add more material on top and keep pressing.
4
Maintain continuous pressure for at least 10 minutes without lifting to check.
5
If possible, elevate the injured part above the level of the heart.
6
If a limb is bleeding severely and pressure fails, a tourniquet may be needed — apply 2–3 inches above the wound and tighten until bleeding stops.
7
Note the time the tourniquet was applied and inform emergency services.

💡 Do not remove embedded objects — apply pressure around them instead.

🤕

Head / Neck Injury

7 steps

1
Call emergency services immediately.
2
Do NOT move the person — suspected neck or spinal injury can be worsened by movement.
3
Keep them still and as comfortable as possible in the position you found them.
4
If they must be moved (e.g. from danger), support the head and neck in alignment.
5
Monitor breathing continuously — be ready to perform CPR if breathing stops.
6
Do not give food, water, or medication.
7
If they are wearing a helmet, do not remove it unless they are not breathing.

💡 Signs of serious head injury: loss of consciousness, confusion, seizures, unequal pupils, clear fluid from ear or nose.

🌡️

Heat Stroke

8 steps

1
Call emergency services — heat stroke is life-threatening.
2
Move the person to a cool, shaded area immediately.
3
Remove excess clothing.
4
Cool them rapidly: apply cool water or ice packs to neck, armpits, and groin.
5
Fan the person to speed up cooling.
6
If conscious and able to swallow, offer small sips of cool water.
7
Do NOT give water if unconscious — risk of choking.
8
Monitor temperature and continue cooling until emergency help arrives.

💡 Heat stroke (body temperature above 40°C / 104°F with confusion) is different from heat exhaustion. Both require immediate action.

❄️

Hypothermia

8 steps

1
Move the person to a warm, sheltered area away from wind and cold.
2
Remove wet clothing gently — cold, wet clothes accelerate heat loss.
3
Warm gradually: wrap in dry blankets, sleeping bag, or use body heat.
4
Focus warmth on the core (chest, armpits, groin) — not just hands and feet.
5
Give warm (not hot) drinks if conscious and able to swallow.
6
Do NOT give alcohol — it causes blood vessels to dilate and accelerates heat loss.
7
Do NOT rub the limbs vigorously — this can send cold blood to the heart.
8
Call emergency services — severe hypothermia requires hospital treatment.

💡 Signs of severe hypothermia: shivering stops (dangerous sign), confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness.

⚡

Electric Shock Do NOT touch

8 steps

1
⚠️ DO NOT touch the person while they are in contact with the electrical source.
2
Switch off the power source at the mains if possible.
3
If you cannot switch off power: use a non-conductive object (dry wood, rubber) to move the source away — never use metal or wet material.
4
Once safe, call emergency services immediately.
5
Check for breathing and pulse.
6
Begin CPR if the person is not breathing and you are trained to do so.
7
Treat any burns by cooling with cool (not cold) running water for 10 minutes.
8
Keep the person warm and still until help arrives.

💡 Do not assume power lines are safe — contact your local electricity provider. High-voltage injuries require specialist hospital care.

🐍

Animal Bite / Snake Bite

8 steps

1
Call emergency services or get to hospital immediately — do not wait for symptoms.
2
Keep the person calm and as still as possible — movement speeds venom spread.
3
Do NOT suck out the venom — this is ineffective and dangerous.
4
Do NOT cut the bite wound or apply a tourniquet.
5
Remove any jewellery or tight clothing near the bite — swelling may occur.
6
Immobilize the bitten limb and keep it below the level of the heart.
7
Note the time of the bite and, if safe to do so, photograph the snake from a distance for identification.
8
For dog or animal bites: wash thoroughly with soap and water for 15 minutes, then seek medical attention for rabies risk assessment.

💡 Antivenom must be administered by medical professionals. Time is critical — prioritise getting to a hospital over any first aid measures.

⚠️ Important Notice

This guide provides general first aid information only. The steps above are simplified for reference in an emergency and may not cover all situations. For comprehensive first aid training, take a certified course from the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or your national first aid authority. Always follow the instructions of emergency services when they arrive.

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