Basic First Aid Procedure
In administering first aid, the following procedure must be followed. Suppose
you see an injured person lying on the floor. Remember the
A-I-D F-I-R-S-T.
Step 1 – Ask for Help.
Immediately call the attention of other people to the scene. Ask if there is
anyone in the area who knows how to perform first aid. If there is one, let him or her
take over. While the first aider rescues, call professional help. Dial 911 and report. If
there is no one around, follow the next steps.
Step 2 and 3 – Inspect the scene.
Determine the possible threats and hazards.
The scene where the injury occurred may not be safe to undertake first aid. If
there are threats and hazards that may harm you or the victim, move to a safer place
only if it will not cause further injury.
Step 4 – Face the victim and introduce yourself.
If the scene is clear and safe, approach the victim. Introduce yourself to the
victim. Even if the victim is unconscious, state your name and tell the victim that you
will perform first aid procedures to help him or her.
Step 5 – Intervene and conduct assessment.
If the victim is conscious, ask him or her about the situation. Locate and assess
the injury. Take note of the details that the victim will tell you. If you know the first aid
procedures for the specific injury, perform them. If you do not know the proper
emergency care, do not intervene stay with the victim until professional medical care
arrives.
If the victim is unconscious, perform the following steps.
1. Tap the shoulders gently and check if conscious may return.
2. If the victim does not respond, perform primary assessment. Check for CAB:
• Circulation – Feel if the pulse is present. Check by touching areas
where large veins are present: neck or wrist.
• Airway – Check if there is any blockage in airways passages (mouth
and nose). Remove any material that blocks the airway.
• Breathing – Check if the victim is breathing by observing the up and
down movement of the chest. You may also put your palm above the
nose and mouth to feel if the victim is inhaling and exhaling.
3. If circulation is absent, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). If the
victim is not breathing, perform rescue breathing. These two procedures
make up basic life support. You will find the steps in the last part of this
lesson.
4. If circulation and breathing are present, conduct secondary assessment.
Secondary assessment is composed of three major components:
4.1. History
The first aider must ask about the victim’s medical information by
thinking of the acronym SAMPLE:
S – signs and symptoms felt by the victim
A – allergies that the victim has
M – medication that the victim is currently taking
P – previous medical conditions that the victim had
L – last oral intake of the victim
E – events that led to the emergency situation
4.2. Vital Signs
The first aider must check for the following
a. Abnormal pulse rate or breathing
b. Dilation of pupils
c. Change in skin color or body temperature
d. Changing level if consciousness (being half-awake)
4.3. Head-to-toe examinations
The first aider must think of the acronym DOTS to inspect the whole
body of the victim for:
D – deformity of fractures
O – open wounds
T – tender parts
S – swollen parts
Step 6 – Remember and record the procedures done.
Step 7 and 8 – Stay with the victim until professional care arrives. Tell the medical
professionals about the situation and the first aid procedures performed.
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: 4-3-2-1
Complete the following.
1. Give at least four characteristics of a good first aider.
a. _______________________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________________________
2. Give at least three objectives of first aid.
a. _______________________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________________
3. Give at least two principles of First Aid
a. _______________________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________________
4. Define First Aid.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Activity 2: Don’t Forget!
Study the words below.
a. These are shortcuts used to remember the steps in emergency actions and
first aid.
b. Identify the meaning of each acronym.
1. In primary assessment, check for CAB
C ____________________________________________________________________
A _____________________________________________________________________
B ____________________________________________________________________
2. In gathering information about the victim’s history, ask for SAMPLE:
S ______________________________________________________________________
A _____________________________________________________________________
M _____________________________________________________________________
P _____________________________________________________________________
L _____________________________________________________________________
E _____________________________________________________________________
3. In performing head-to-toe examination, what do the letters in the acronym DOTS
mean:
D _____________________________________________________________________
O _____________________________________________________________________
T ______________________________________________________________________
S ______________________________________________________________________
VALUING
Complete the unfinished statements individually.
1. I can be a first aider because _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. I will be a first aider because _____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. As a first aider, I will ______________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
