First Aid Basics

First aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill. Basic first aid knowledge can make a critical difference in an emergency situation, potentially saving a life or preventing a condition from worsening before professional medical help arrives.

While first aid is not a substitute for professional medical care, knowing what to do in an emergency can help stabilize a person, prevent further harm, and provide comfort until help arrives. Everyone should learn basic first aid skills.

Assess the Situation:

• Ensure your own safety first
• Check for dangers
• Don't put yourself at risk
• Call for help if needed
• Stay calm

Call for Help:

• Emergency number: 112 in Sweden
• Call immediately for serious situations
• Stay on the line
• Follow dispatcher's instructions
• Don't hang up until told to

Provide Care:

• Stay with the person
• Reassure them
• Follow basic first aid steps
• Don't move them unless necessary
• Monitor their condition

When to Use:

• Person is unconscious
• Not breathing or only gasping
• No pulse (if trained to check)
• Call emergency services first

Basic Steps (for adults):

1. Check responsiveness: Tap and shout
2. Call 112: Get help coming
3. Open airway: Tilt head back
4. Check breathing: Look, listen, feel
5. Start compressions:
   • Place hands on center of chest
   • Push hard and fast (100-120 per minute)
   • Depth: 2 inches (5 cm)
   • Allow chest to recoil
6. Give breaths (if trained):
   • 30 compressions, 2 breaths
   • Continue until help arrives

Note: Hands-only CPR (compressions only) is also effective if you're not trained in rescue breaths.

Minor Bleeding:

• Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
• Elevate injured area if possible
• Clean wound when bleeding stops
• Apply bandage
• Watch for signs of infection

Severe Bleeding:

• Call 112 immediately
• Apply direct pressure
• Don't remove objects in wound
• Elevate if possible
• Keep pressure until help arrives
• Don't use tourniquet unless trained

Signs of Serious Bleeding:

• Blood spurting
• Large amount of blood
• Person feels faint or dizzy
• Rapid pulse
• Pale, cool, clammy skin

Minor Burns:

• Cool with cool (not cold) water
• Don't use ice
• Cover with clean, dry bandage
• Don't break blisters
• Over-the-counter pain relief if needed

Severe Burns:

• Call 112
• Don't remove clothing stuck to burn
• Don't immerse large burns in water
• Cover with clean, dry cloth
• Elevate burned area if possible
• Watch for shock

Chemical Burns:

• Remove contaminated clothing
• Flush with water for 20 minutes
• Call 112
• Don't neutralize chemicals
• Continue flushing until help arrives

Mild Choking (can cough):

• Encourage coughing
• Stay with person
• Don't interfere with coughing
• Call 112 if doesn't improve

Severe Choking (can't cough or breathe):

• Call 112 immediately
• Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts):
  • Stand behind person
  • Place hands above navel
  • Quick upward thrusts
  • Repeat until object comes out
• If person becomes unconscious, start CPR

Signs:

• Pain, swelling, bruising
• Deformity
• Inability to move or bear weight
• Bone protruding (emergency)

What to Do:

• Don't move injured area
• Immobilize if possible
• Apply ice (wrapped in cloth)
• Elevate if possible
• Call 112 for severe fractures
• Seek medical care

Signs:

• Pale, cool, clammy skin
• Rapid, weak pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or weakness
• Loss of consciousness

What to Do:

• Call 112
• Have person lie down
• Elevate legs (unless injury prevents)
• Keep person warm
• Don't give food or water
• Monitor until help arrives

Always Call for:

• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Chest pain
• Suspected heart attack or stroke
• Severe burns
• Suspected poisoning
• Severe allergic reaction
• Major trauma
• When in doubt, call

Essential Items:

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Sterile gauze pads
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Disposable gloves
• CPR face shield
• Emergency blanket
• Pain relievers
• First aid manual

Keep Kit:

• In accessible location
• Check expiration dates regularly
• Replace used items
• Know how to use items
• Take on trips

• Life-threatening situations
• Severe injuries
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe bleeding
• Suspected heart attack or stroke
• When in doubt

• Wounds that won't stop bleeding
• Signs of infection
• Severe pain
• Burns larger than palm
• Suspected fractures
• Persistent symptoms
• Questions about care

• Minor cuts and scrapes
• Small burns
• Minor sprains
• Following first aid
• No concerning symptoms

Prevent Emergencies:

• Home safety measures
• Use safety equipment
• Follow safety guidelines
• Stay alert
• Learn first aid
• Be prepared

Generally, no. Only move someone if they're in immediate danger (like fire or traffic). Moving someone with a spinal injury can cause serious harm. Wait for professional help unless there's immediate danger.

When in doubt, call 112. It's better to call and have it not be an emergency than to not call when it is. Dispatchers can help you determine if it's an emergency.

While you can learn basics from guides, formal training (like Red Cross or similar) is highly recommended. Hands-on training gives you confidence and proper technique. Consider taking a course.

Do your best with the knowledge you have. In most cases, doing something is better than doing nothing. Stay calm, call for help, and follow basic principles. Professional help will arrive soon.

Take a deep breath, assess the situation, call for help, and focus on what you can do. Remember that professional help is on the way. Your calm presence can help the injured person.