Pre-reading

First aid is the initial care and treatment of any person, sick or injured, by a trained first aider. First aid fills in the gap between the time the injury or illness occurred and the arrival of more advanced medical assistance.

Do you know that your first aid knowledge is more likely to be used to help someone you know than a complete stranger? Learning first aid means that you could provide emergency care for your family, friends or co-workers and you may save the life of someone very close and dear to you.

When you respond to an accident or sudden illness you start a chain of events that aims to:

1. Preserve Life
2. Prevent further injury
3. Promote recovery by providing initial management that may reduce the impact of any injuries already sustained by a casualty.
4. Protect the unconscious
5. Seek medical assistance