First aid is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or suddenly taken ill. It includes self-help and home care if medical assistance is not available or is delayed. It also includes well-selected words of encouragement, evidence of willingness to help, and promotion of confidence by demonstration of competence.

The person giving first aid, the first-alder, deals with the whole situation, the injured person, and the injury or illness. He knows what not to do as well as what to do; he avoids errors that are frequently made by untrained persons through well-meant but misguided efforts. He knows, too, that his first aid knowledge and skill can mean the difference between life and death, between temporary and permanent disability, and between rapid recovery and long hospitalization.

Not a day goes by that there is not some potential for injury, illness, or sudden health emergency to occur in the places where we live, work, learn, and play. While many of these situations require no more than a Band-Aid, others are more serious and may even be life-threatening. Knowing what to do when an accident happens or when someone becomes suddenly ill can help ensure that minor injuries don’t develop into major medical conditions. More importantly, it can save a life.

Who Should Know First Aid?
First aid instruction is usually required for those in certain professions, such as nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers. But anyone can and should learn first aid skills. The American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and several other agencies provide first aid courses in locations throughout the nation.

Before taking a first aid course, it is a good idea to think about what personal qualities are useful when responding to a possible medical emergency. You need to be able to remain calm in an intense situation, and to assist the victim to remain calm. You must have good observational skills, both to assess what you need to do to assure your own safety during an emergency situation and to quickly assess the medical situation. It is also good to be methodical. You must be able to prioritize steps in each situation and then follow through until medical help arrives.

This app follows updated, Accepted guidelines and is designed to provide you with basic First Aid skills that will allow you to make a sound decision in the face of an emergency.