3 min read · Nov 13, 2023
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First aid skills allow you to help someone in an emergency until professional medical treatment is available. Knowing some basic first aid can help you assist a co-worker, friend, or even a stranger in their time of need. The “five finger rules” are an easy way to remember key steps for responding to common first-aid situations.
The first step in any first aid situation is to make sure the scene is safe for you to approach. Look for any ongoing hazards like live electrical wires, gas leaks, traffic, or fire. Once the scene is secure, you can check on the person needing help. Verify that they are conscious and see if they can tell you what happened. If possible, get consent before treating them.
After checking the scene and person, the next priority is calling for professional medical assistance. Depending on the emergency, you may need to contact emergency services, law enforcement, or a poison control center. Calling for help starts the process of getting the person appropriate medical treatment. If possible, designate someone else to make the call while you continue assisting the person.
Uncontrolled bleeding must be addressed quickly. Apply direct pressure on wounds with clean bandages, cloth, or even your bare hands. Elevate limbs and use pressure points if needed to control bleeding. Tourniquets should only be used for severe bleeding that cannot be stopped with direct pressure. Remember to wear gloves or use a barrier when treating wounds to protect yourself from bloodborne pathogens.
A clear airway and proper breathing are vital. If the person is choking, administer abdominal thrusts or back blows as needed to dislodge the blockage. For someone who is not breathing, begin CPR starting with chest compressions. Use rescue breaths, a bag-valve mask, or a pocket mask to provide oxygen until help arrives. Proper CPR techniques can be the difference between life and death.
Many medical conditions require prompt first aid to prevent further harm. For seizures, clear the area and roll the person on their side when the seizure stops. Asthma attacks may be treated with the person’s inhaler if available. Anaphylaxis requires an epinephrine auto-injector like an EpiPen. Heart attacks, strokes, and hypo- or hyperglycemic emergencies also need specific first aid care while awaiting EMS.
Do you want to learn how to respond to medical emergencies? Enroll in a first aid course with CPR St Louis to get hands-on skills for providing care until professional help is available. Our AHA-certified instructors will teach you skills like wound care, splinting, seizures, allergic reactions, and more in a St. Louis first aid class. Register for a first aid class now and be prepared to help!
Remembering basic first aid does not have to be complicated. Following the five finger rules — check, call, stop bleeding, open airway, and treat emergencies — will prepare you to provide initial care in an emergency. Taking a certified first aid and CPR class is the best way to gain the knowledge and skills needed to potentially save a life.
CPR St Louis offers AHA-certified first aid training and CPR certification in St. Louis, MO, and surrounding areas. Our hands-on, small-group classes will give you the confidence to respond in an emergency. Visit our website to sign up for a first aid class in St. Louis and get certified today!
