Essential First Aid Techniques

Why This Matters

First aid isn't just about memorizing steps—it's about understanding how the body responds to trauma and why specific interventions work. When you're tested on these techniques, you're being evaluated on your grasp of underlying physiological principles: circulation, oxygenation, tissue damage, and the body's stress responses. Each technique targets a specific system failure, and knowing which intervention matches which emergency is what separates someone who can help from someone who freezes.

The techniques in this guide connect to broader wellness concepts including cardiovascular function, respiratory mechanics, immune response, and shock physiology. You'll notice patterns: many interventions focus on maintaining blood flow and oxygen delivery, while others prioritize preventing secondary damage. Don't just memorize the steps—know why each action matters and what concept each technique illustrates.

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Restoring Circulation and Oxygenation

These techniques address the body's most urgent need: getting oxygenated blood to vital organs. Without adequate circulation and oxygen delivery, brain damage begins within 4-6 minutes.

CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

• 100-120 compressions per minute—this rate mimics the heart's natural rhythm and maintains adequate blood pressure to perfuse the brain
• Hand placement on center of chest with full recoil allows the heart to refill between compressions; improper technique reduces effectiveness by up to 50%
• 30:2 compression-to-breath ratio balances circulation with oxygenation; use an AED immediately when available to restore normal heart rhythm

Assessing and Maintaining an Open Airway

• Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver physically moves the tongue away from the back of the throat, the most common cause of airway obstruction in unconscious individuals
• Check responsiveness first—tap and shout before assuming cardiac arrest; unnecessary CPR on a breathing person can cause harm
• Continuous monitoring is essential because muscle relaxation in unconscious patients can cause the airway to close repeatedly

Heimlich Maneuver

• Inward and upward thrusts create artificial coughs by rapidly compressing the diaphragm and forcing air from the lungs
• Fist placement just above the navel targets the soft tissue below the ribcage; too high risks breaking the xiphoid process
• Transition to CPR if unconscious—chest compressions can dislodge objects while also maintaining circulation

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Controlling Blood Loss and Preventing Shock

Severe bleeding triggers a cascade of physiological responses. The body can lose up to 40% of blood volume before death, but shock symptoms begin much earlier. These techniques work together to maintain adequate perfusion.

Controlling Bleeding

• Direct pressure is the first-line intervention because it allows clotting factors to accumulate at the wound site and form a stable clot
• Elevation above heart level uses gravity to reduce blood pressure at the wound, slowing blood loss without additional intervention
• Tourniquets are last resort for limb injuries—they stop all blood flow and can cause tissue death, but they save lives when direct pressure fails

Treating Shock

• Legs elevated redirects blood from the extremities to vital organs; this position is called the Trendelenburg position or shock position
• Maintain body temperature because shock impairs the body's ability to regulate heat; hypothermia worsens clotting ability
• No food or drink—the digestive system shuts down during shock, and aspiration risk increases if consciousness is lost

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Managing Tissue Damage

Burns, fractures, and wounds involve different types of tissue damage, but they share common principles: minimize further injury, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection.

Treating Burns

• Cool running water for 10-20 minutes stops the burning process and reduces tissue damage; thermal energy continues damaging deeper tissues even after the heat source is removed
• Sterile, non-stick dressing protects exposed nerve endings and creates a barrier against bacteria
• Never apply ice, butter, or ointments—ice causes vasoconstriction and additional tissue damage; butter traps heat and introduces bacteria

Treating Fractures and Sprains

• Immobilization prevents bone fragments from damaging surrounding blood vessels, nerves, and muscles
• Ice application (with barrier) causes vasoconstriction, reducing swelling and pain; the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) guides treatment
• Monitor circulation distal to injury—numbness, tingling, or color changes indicate compromised blood flow requiring immediate medical attention

Wound Care and Infection Prevention

• Soap and water cleaning physically removes bacteria and debris; most wound infections come from contamination at the time of injury
• Antibiotic ointment and sterile bandage create a moist healing environment while preventing bacterial colonization
• Daily dressing changes allow monitoring for infection signs: increased redness, warmth, swelling, or purulent drainage

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Recognizing and Responding to Medical Emergencies

Some emergencies require recognition more than intervention. Your role is to identify the problem, call for help, and provide supportive care until professionals arrive.

Recognizing Signs of Heart Attack and Stroke

• FAST acronym for stroke: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911—time-sensitive because clot-busting drugs work best within 3 hours
• Heart attack warning signs include chest pressure, shortness of breath, and radiating pain to arms, jaw, or back; women more often present with atypical symptoms
• Keep person calm and still—physical exertion increases oxygen demand on an already compromised heart; no food or drink in case surgery is needed

Handling Allergic Reactions

• Epinephrine auto-injector is the only effective treatment for anaphylaxis; antihistamines work too slowly for severe reactions
• Remove allergen exposure immediately—ongoing exposure continues triggering histamine release and worsening symptoms
• Monitor for biphasic reaction—symptoms can return 4-12 hours after initial treatment even without re-exposure

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Quick Reference Table

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Self-Check Questions

1. Both CPR and the Heimlich maneuver address oxygen deprivation—what determines which technique you should use, and what physiological difference are you responding to?

2. Why does the treatment for burns specifically prohibit ice, while the treatment for fractures recommends it? What underlying principle explains this difference?

3. A person is bleeding heavily from a leg wound and appears pale and confused. Which two techniques from this guide would you use simultaneously, and why do they address different aspects of the same problem?

4. Compare and contrast the body's response to anaphylaxis versus a heart attack. Both can be fatal within minutes—what makes their treatments so different?

5. If you found an unconscious person, what sequence of assessments and interventions would you perform, and what physiological priority does each step address?