First aid

First aid is the immediate assistance provided to a person facing a medical emergency.

The primary objective is to preserve life by minimizing the threat of death. It also seeks to prevent further harm by addressing external dangers or worsening injuries. Finally, first aid aims to promote recovery by starting the healing process, such as applying a plaster to a small wound.

It is important to note that first aid is not professional medical treatment. It involves making common-sense decisions to help a person until medical services arrive.

Effective first aid follows a specific sequence of steps to manage threats. First, the responder must assess the surrounding area for safety. If the environment is dangerous, such as a road accident, the person must move to a safe location. Next, the responder calls for professional medical help and asks nearby people for assistance. This might include people to help with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. After this, the responder performs suitable care based on the specific injury. The final step is to evaluate the casualty for fatal signs or the need to repeat the care.

Medical professionals use structured protocols to prioritize life-saving actions. One common method is the ABCDE protocol, which was developed by Dr. Peter Safar in the 1950s. Modern versions, like the ATLS or BATLS used by the military, add important preliminary steps. These include managing catastrophic bleeding and providing spine protection to prevent mobility damage. The main ABCDE steps include Airway (clearing the breathing path), Breathing (ensuring respiration), and Circulation (ensuring effective cardiac output). It also includes Disability, which checks neurological conditions or glucose levels, and Exposure, which is a full examination of the patient.

A more specific application of these steps is the CABD protocol used for CPR. This sequence is taught by the American Heart Association and the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. It begins with Circulation, focusing on chest compressions to keep blood moving. This is followed by Airway, where the responder uses a head-tilt and chin-lift technique to open the throat. Next is Breathing, involving rescue breaths. The final step is Defibrillation, which is the use of an automated external defibrillator to restore heart function during a cardiac arrest.

The history of first aid is deeply connected to warfare and the need to treat large numbers of casualties. Ancient Greek pottery depicts the bandaging of battle wounds. The Roman army utilized a system of surgeons, field ambulances, and hospitals. They even had specialized soldiers called capsarii, who were the predecessors of modern combat medics. In the 11th century, the Knights Hospitaller provided care to knights and pilgrims in the Holy Land. These early efforts laid the groundwork for organized medical assistance during conflict.

Formalized life-saving systems emerged more clearly in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1774, the Royal Humane Society was formed to promote resuscitation for those who had drowned.

During the Franco-Prussian War, Prussian surgeon Friedrich von Esmarch introduced the term "erste hilfe," or first aid. He even designed the Esmarch bandage to help soldiers treat wounded comrades. In 1859, Jean-Henri Dunant witnessed the Battle of Solferino, which led to the creation of the Red Cross. The Red Cross and Red Crescent remain the largest providers of first aid globally today.

First aid training eventually expanded from military use to the general public. In 1877, the St John Ambulance Association was established in England to train people for the benefit of the sick. This organization helped create the UK's first ambulance service and developed wheeled transport litters. In the United States, the first recorded first aid training took place in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, in 1899. Today, many countries have laws requiring first aid provision in workplaces or schools. This includes having equipment like automated external defibrillators available to ensure community safety.