Basic First Aid Guide – Symptom Checker & Action Steps

The first step in any emergency is to ensure the scene is safe for both you and the victim. Then, follow the DRSABCD protocol: Danger (check for hazards), Response (check if the person is conscious), Send for help (call 911/112), Airway (ensure airway is clear), Breathing (check for normal breathing), CPR (start CPR if no breathing), Defibrillation (use an AED if available). Always prioritize calling emergency services for serious conditions.

For adult CPR: Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest, place your other hand on top, and interlock your fingers. Push hard and fast — compress the chest at least 2 inches (5 cm) deep at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. Allow full chest recoil between compressions. If trained, give 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions. If untrained, hands-only CPR (continuous chest compressions without breaths) is still highly effective. Continue until emergency help arrives or the person shows signs of life.

Remember the acronym FAST: Face drooping (one side of the face droops or is numb), Arm weakness (one arm is weak or drifts downward when raised), Speech difficulty (slurred or strange speech), Time to call 911. Other signs include sudden confusion, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headache. Do not give the person anything to eat or drink. Note the time when symptoms started — this is crucial for treatment. Call emergency services immediately; every minute counts.

For minor burns: Cool the burn under cool (not cold) running water for at least 10–20 minutes. Do not apply ice, butter, oil, or creams. Cover loosely with a sterile, non-stick bandage or clean cloth. Pain relievers like ibuprofen can help. Seek medical attention if the burn is larger than 3 inches, involves the face/hands/feet/genitals/joints, is deep, or shows signs of infection. For severe burns, call 911 immediately, do not remove stuck clothing, and cover the area loosely with a clean, cool, moist cloth.

If the person can cough or speak, encourage them to continue coughing. If they cannot breathe, cough, or speak: Stand behind them, wrap your arms around their waist, make a fist just above their navel, and perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) — pull inward and upward sharply. Repeat until the object is expelled or the person becomes unconscious. If unconscious, lower them to the ground, call 911, and begin CPR. For infants, use back blows and chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

Apply direct firm pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, bandage, or even your hand. Maintain continuous pressure — do not lift the cloth to check if bleeding has stopped. If blood soaks through, add more layers on top; do not remove the original dressing. If possible, elevate the injured area above the heart. For life-threatening bleeding on a limb, a tourniquet may be used as a last resort, placed 2–3 inches above the wound (but not on a joint). Call 911 immediately for severe bleeding.

The recovery position is used for an unconscious person who is breathing normally. Roll the person onto their side, with their head tilted back slightly to keep the airway open. The top leg should be bent at the knee for stability, and the top hand placed under their cheek for support. This position prevents choking on vomit or fluids. Do not use the recovery position if you suspect a spinal injury — in that case, keep the person still and wait for emergency services.

Signs of anaphylaxis include: difficulty breathing or wheezing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, hives or widespread rash, rapid heartbeat, dizziness or fainting, nausea or vomiting, and a sense of impending doom. Symptoms usually appear within minutes of exposure to an allergen. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), help them use it immediately — inject into the outer thigh. Call 911 right away, even if symptoms improve after using epinephrine, as a second reaction can occur.

Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a poison control center or medical professional. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or your local emergency number immediately. Try to identify what the person ingested, how much, and when. If the person is unconscious, having seizures, or having trouble breathing, call 911 immediately. For chemical exposure to skin or eyes, flush with cool water for at least 15–20 minutes. Move the person to fresh air if poison was inhaled.

Follow the RICE method: Rest the injured area and avoid putting weight on it. Ice — apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours for the first 48 hours. Compression — wrap the area with an elastic bandage (not too tight). Elevation — keep the injured area raised above heart level to reduce swelling. Avoid heat, alcohol, running, and massage in the first 48 hours. Seek medical attention if you cannot bear weight, the joint looks deformed, or pain is severe.

Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, pale clammy skin, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, and fainting. Move to a cool place, drink water, and cool the body with wet cloths. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency: body temperature above 103°F (39.4°C), hot red skin (dry or damp), rapid strong pulse, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Call 911 immediately for heat stroke — cool the person rapidly with any means available (ice packs on neck/armpits/groin, cool water, fanning) while waiting for help.

Sit upright and lean forward (not backward — leaning back can cause blood to flow down the throat, leading to nausea). Pinch the soft part of the nose (just below the bony bridge) firmly for 10–15 minutes without releasing. Breathe through the mouth. Apply a cold compress to the bridge of the nose. Do not pack the nostril with tissue. Seek medical care if bleeding lasts more than 20 minutes, is very heavy, or follows a head injury.

Generally, do not move an injured person — especially if you suspect a spinal or neck injury. Moving them incorrectly can cause permanent paralysis or worsen injuries. Only move an injured person if they are in immediate danger (e.g., fire, flooding, toxic gas, risk of explosion, or an unsafe building). If you must move them, try to keep the head, neck, and spine aligned, and drag them by their clothing (not limbs) to safety. Otherwise, keep them still, keep them warm, and wait for emergency responders.

A well-stocked first aid kit should include: adhesive bandages in various sizes, sterile gauze pads, adhesive tape, rolled bandages, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, pain relievers (ibuprofen/acetaminophen), scissors, tweezers, disposable gloves, a digital thermometer, an instant cold pack, a first aid manual, emergency contact numbers, and any personal medications. For a car kit, add a flashlight, emergency blanket, and reflective warning triangle. Check and restock your kit every 6 months.

Stay calm and note the time the seizure starts. Do not restrain the person or put anything in their mouth. Clear the area of hard or sharp objects. Cushion their head with something soft. Once convulsions stop, place them in the recovery position. Stay with them until they are fully alert. Call 911 if the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, if it's their first seizure, if they are pregnant, if they don't regain consciousness, or if they have multiple seizures without recovery between them.