Learn Practical First Aid Skills

Your comprehensive guide to basic first aid knowledge (Ages 13+)

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Practical First Aid Guide

1. Introduction

First aid is immediate help to prevent worsening injury or illness until professional help arrives.

What we won't cover:

  • CPR
  • Choking thrusts
  • Injections
  • Anything invasive

Discussion question: Why do you think first aid knowledge is important?

2. Scene Safety

Before helping anyone, always evaluate danger first. Teach them to check for hazards before helping.

Key hazards to look for:

  • 🔥 Fire
  • 🚗 Traffic
  • 🔍 Broken glass
  • 🩸 Blood or bodily fluids
  • 🐕 Aggressive animals

What to do:

  • 🚗 Traffic: Stay off roads, warn from safe distance, call emergency services.
  • 🔍 Broken Glass: Only approach if safe, avoid direct contact.
  • 🩸 Blood: Wear gloves/barrier if possible; avoid contact without protection.
  • 🐕 Aggressive Animals: Keep distance, call authorities.

Role-play activity: "Would you go in or stay back?" Practice evaluating different scenarios.

3. Calling 911

It's important to know what information dispatchers need when you call 911.

What dispatchers need:

  • What happened: Describe the situation clearly
  • Where it happened: Give your exact location or address
  • Who is hurt: Tell them how many people need help
  • Number of victims: Count how many people need help
  • Stay calm & speak clearly: Take deep breaths and speak slowly

Practice activity: "Fake 911 call" with one participant as dispatcher. This helps you practice what to say in a real emergency!

4. Minor Injuries

Small cuts, scrapes, bruises, and splinters are common. Here's how to help safely:

Treatment:

  • Cuts & Scrapes: Clean with water, apply antiseptic if available, bandage.
  • Bruises: Ice wrapped in cloth for 10–15 min.
  • Splinters: Only remove if easily accessible; otherwise, seek adult help.

Infection prevention:

  • Wash hands before helping
  • Use gloves if available
  • Don't touch open wounds without protection

5. Burns

Burns need immediate care to prevent further damage.

What to do:

  • Run under cool water immediately
  • Don't pop blisters
  • Cover loosely with a dry, sterile dressing

Call 911 if severe:

  • Large area affected
  • Burns on face or hands
  • Chemical burns
  • Electrical burns

6. Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can look scary, but they're usually easy to stop with the right steps.

Steps to stop a nosebleed:

  1. Sit up and lean forward, not backward
  2. Pinch nose for 10–15 minutes
  3. If it doesn't stop, seek medical help

7. Recognizing Choking

It's important to know the signs of choking and when to get help.

Signs someone is choking:

  • Inability to speak
  • Wheezing
  • Clutching throat

What to do:

  • If they can cough, let them cough
  • If cannot breathe, call 911 immediately

8. First-Aid Kit Tour (5 minutes)

It's good to know what's in a first-aid kit and how to use each item safely.

Items in a first-aid kit:

  • Bandages & gauze: For covering cuts and scrapes
  • Adhesive tape: To secure bandages
  • Gloves & masks: To protect your hands and face from blood and germs
  • Ice packs: For bruises and swelling
  • Scissors & tweezers: For cutting bandages and removing splinters (demonstrate only - let an adult help)

Important: Discuss how to use safely and restock after use.

9. Quick Scenario Quiz

Let's practice what you've learned with some realistic scenarios!

Scenario 1:

"You see someone fall on a sidewalk and bleed."

What is your first action?

Discuss answers, reinforce safety first.

Scenario 2:

"You notice smoke coming from a car in traffic."

What is your first action?

Discuss answers, reinforce safety first.

10. Certificate / Wrap-Up

Congratulations on completing the first aid lesson!

Make sure to:

  • Review kit at home
  • Stay calm in emergencies
  • Remember: safety first, then call for help

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