The immediate treatment of any injury or sudden illness before professional medical care can be provided. Most first aid consists of treating minor injuries and burns, and fractures. The aims of first-aid treatment in an emergency are to preserve life, to protect the individual from further harm, to provide reassurance, to make the victim comfortable, to arrange for medical help, and to find out as much as possible about the circumstances of the accident or injury. Various techniques can be used to achieve these aims. For example, the recovery position helps to maintain an open airway in an unconscious person who is breathing; artificial respiration is necessary if a person is not breathing. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is essential if a person is not breathing and has no heartbeat. Heavy bleeding can lead to shock but can be controlled by applying pressure at appropriate pressure points.
First aid |
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