First Aid Manual
by DK

The information provided throughout
this book will help you to provide effective
first aid to any casualty in any situation.
However, to become a fully competent first
aider, you should complete a recognised
first aid learning programme. Completing
this will strengthen your skills and increase
your confidence. St John Ambulance,
St Andrew’s First Aid and the British Red
Cross are all able to provide first aid
education tailored to your needs.
■ To understand your own abilities and limitations
■ To stay safe and calm at all times
■ To assess a situation quickly and calmly and summon
help if necessary
■ To assist the casualty and provide the necessary
treatment, with the help of others if possible
■ To pass on relevant information to the emergency
services, or the person who takes responsibility for
the casualty
■ To be aware of your own needs

WHAT IS A FIRST AIDER?
First aid refers to the actions taken in response
to someone who is injured or taken ill. A first
aider is a person who takes this action while
taking care to keep everyone involved safe

(p.28) and to cause no further harm while doing
so. Using the guidelines set out in this book, you

should take actions that most benefit the
casualty. Always take into account your own
skills, knowledge and experience.

This chapter prepares you for the role of first
aider by providing guidance on responding to
a first aid situation and assessing the priorities
for the casualty. There is advice on the
psychological aspect of giving first aid and
practical guidance on how to protect yourself
and a casualty. Chapter 2, Managing an Incident
(pp.26–37), provides guidelines on dealing with
events such as traffic or water incidents or
fires. Chapter 3, Assessing a Casualty
(pp.38–53), looks at the practical steps to
take when assessing a sick or injured person.
One of the primary rules of first aid is to
ensure that an area is safe for you before you
approach a casualty (p.28). Do not attempt
heroic rescues in hazardous circumstances.
If you put yourself at risk, you are unlikely
to be able to help others and you could
become a casualty. If it is not safe, do not
approach the casualty.

HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF
When responding to an emergency it is
important to recognise both the emotional
and physical needs of all involved, including
your own. You should look after your own
psychological health and be able to identify
stress if it develops (pp.24–25).
A calm, considerate response from you that
facilitates trust and respect from those around
you is fundamental to you being able to give
or receive information from a casualty or
witnesses effectively. This includes being aware
of, and managing, your reactions, so that you
can focus on the casualty and make an
assessment. By talking to a casualty in a kind,
considerate, gentle but firm manner, you will
inspire confidence in your actions and this will
generate trust between you and the casualty.
Without this confidence he may not be able to
tell you about an important event, injury or
symptom, and he may remain in a highly
distressed state.The actions described in this chapter aim to help you facilitate this trust, minimise distress
and provide support to promote the casualty’s
ability to cope and recover. The key steps to
being an effective first aider are:

■ Be calm in your approach
■ Be aware of risks (to yourself and others)
■ Build and maintain trust (from the casualty
and the bystanders)
■ Give early treatment, treating the most
serious (life-threatening) conditions first
■ Call appropriate help
■ Remember your own needs
It is important to be calm in your approach.
Consider what situations might challenge you,
and how you would deal with them. In order
to convey confidence to others and encourage
them to trust you, you need to control your
emotions and reactions.

People often fear the unknown. Becoming
more familiar with first aid priorities and the
key techniques in this book can help you feel
more comfortable. By identifying your fears in
advance, you can take steps to overcome them.
Find out as much as you can, for example, by
completing a first aid learning programme with
one of the Societies. For additional reassurance,
talk to other people about how they dealt with
similar situations or talk through your fears with
a person you trust.

STAY IN CONTROL
In an emergency situation, the body responds by
releasing hormones that may cause a “fight,
flight or freeze” response. When this happens,
your heart beats faster, your breathing quickens
and you may sweat more. You may also feel
more alert, want to run away or feel frozen
to the spot.

If you feel overwhelmed and slightly panicky,
you may feel pressured to do something before
you are clear about what is needed. Pause and
take a few slow breaths. Consider who else
might help you feel calmer, and remind yourself
of the first aid priorities (opposite). If you still
feel overwhelmed, take another breath and say
to yourself “be calmer” as a cue. When you are
calm, you will be better able to think more
clearly and plan your response.
The thoughts you have are linked to the
way you behave and the way you feel. If you
think that you cannot cope, you will have more
trouble working out what to do and will feel
more anxious: more ready to fight, flee or
freeze. If you know how to calm yourself, you
will be better able to deal with your anxiety and
so help the casualty.

 

HEADACHE

■ Do not give aspirin to anyone under 16 years of age or who you know is allergic to it. Seek urgent medical advice if:
■ Pain develops very suddenly
■ Pain is severe and incapacitating
■ Pain is accompanied by fever or vomiting

■ Pain is recurrent or persistent
■ Pain is accompanied by loss of strength or sensation, or by impaired level of response
■ Pain is accompanied by a stiff neck and sensitivity to light
■ Pain follows a head injury
CAUTION WHAT TO DO Help the casualty to sit or lie down in a quiet place.  Give him a cold compress to hold against his head (p.241). An adult may take the recommended dose of paracetamol tablets or his own painkillers. A child may have the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup (not aspirin).

From first-aid essentials to life-saving procedures, it’s worth having someone who knows what they are doing to cope with life’s little (and big) emergencies. The latest edition of this best-selling manual, published in association with the UK’s three leading first-aid providers, gives you the knowledge you need instantly if someone falls ill or gets hurt.

Brand new live-action step-by-step photographs show you how to treat casualties and over 100 medical conditions and injuries, from minor burns to heart attacks. Find information on the latest life-saving procedures and resuscitation guidelines as well as basic first aid techniques, like bandaging and applying dressings.

Plus, new chapters explain what it’s like being a first aider, what to do in an emergency situation and how to look after a casualty. Keep it handy – for home, for work and for leisure.

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