First Aid, A Quick Guide to Saving Lives

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First Aid, A Quick Guide
to Saving Lives

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First Aid is the immediate assistance provided to anyone suffering from a sudden illness or injury before professional medical help arrives. Its primary goals are not to cure, but to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery.

1. The Core Principle: DrABC
When facing an emergency, the responder must remain calm and follow the DrABC sequence to ensure safety and effectiveness:
  • Danger: Check if the area is safe for you, the victim, and bystanders. Do not become a victim yourself.
  • Response: Check for consciousness by calling the victim’s name or gently tapping their shoulders.
  • Airway: Ensure the victim's airway is clear. Use the head-tilt/chin-lift technique if necessary.
  • Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing (observe chest movement).
  • Circulation: Check for signs of blood circulation and manage any severe bleeding immediately.
2. Actions for Common Emergencies
| Condition | First Aid Action |
  1. Burns
    • Run cool tap water (not ice water) over the area for 20 minutes. Do not apply toothpaste or butter
  2. Fainting
    • Lay the person flat on their back and elevate their legs about 30 cm to help blood flow to the brain
  3. Choking
    • Perform the Heimlich Maneuver (abdominal thrusts) if the victim is conscious but unable to breathe
  4. Cuts & Scrapes
    • Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth to stop bleeding, then clean and cover with a bandage
  5. Fractures
    • Do not attempt to realign the bone. Immobilize the limb using a temporary splint and minimize movement
3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
If the victim is unconscious and not breathing, call emergency services immediately and begin CPR.
  1. Place the heel of one hand in the center of the victim's chest.
  2. Perform chest compressions at a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
  3. Allow the chest to recoil completely between compressions.
  4. Continue until medical help arrives or the victim shows signs of life.
4. Standard First Aid Kit Essentials
Every home or vehicle should be equipped with a kit containing:
  • Sterile gauze and bandages.
  • Adhesive bandages (various sizes).
  • Antiseptic solution (Povidone-iodine) and 70% alcohol wipes.
  • Scissors and tweezers.
  • Latex or nitrile gloves.
  • Medical masks.
Data Sources & References
The data in this article is summarized based on international health protocols valid as of 2026:
  1. American Red Cross (2024-2025): First Aid/CPR/AED Care Guidelines.
  2. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC): International First Aid, Resuscitation, and Education Guidelines.
  3. St John Ambulance: First Aid Advice - Emergency Techniques.
  4. World Health Organization (WHO): Community-based First Aid Training Manuals.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only. It is highly recommended to attend an official certification course to gain practical, hands-on skills.
Pertolongan Pertama (First Aid)