The life-saving first aid steps everyone needs to know

If someone you love were to experience a medical emergency, would you know what to do? According to research by St John Ambulance, only 4 in 10 people in the UK know the basic first aid skills needed to save a life. And a survey by the British Red Cross indicated that up to 95% of people lack the complete knowledge and confidence to step in during multi-scenario life-threatening emergencies.

So ahead of World First Aid Day on 12th September, the medical experts at YourGP are here to share a few basic steps. Learn them, practice them, share them, and you could save a life.

First response: Remember DRS ABCD

An emergency could take place anywhere and at any time, so it is important to always be prepared by regularly refreshing your first aid knowledge. Should you be required to step in and assist someone experiencing a medical emergency, follow the simple “DRS ABCD” step-by-step guide:

• Danger: Check the area surrounding you and the injured person and make sure it is safe.
• Response: Tap their shoulder and ask loudly and clearly if they are ok. Listen carefully for their response.
• Shout / Send for help: Shout for help or call 999 immediately.
• Airway: Tilt their head back and lift their chin to open their airway.
• Breathing: Look, listen and feel to check if they are breathing.
• Circulation / CPR: Check for any blood loss. If they are losing blood, press on the injury directly. If they are not breathing normally, start chest compressions.
• Defibrillator: Look for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and follow the prompts.

Basic first aid steps

Once you’ve memorised the DRS ABCD steps, it is important to get to grips with some basic first aid steps that you may need to put into practice before help arrives:

Bleeding: If someone is injured and bleeding, first remove or cut the clothing covering the injury. Apply pressure to the wound by pressing hard with a clean cloth or bandage. Elevate the injured area above the heart if possible. And finally, apply a tourniquet to the limb to help stem the bleeding.

Burns: Hold the affected area under cool or lukewarm running water for 10 minutes. Do not put ice or thick creams on the burn.

Choking: Give up to 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If the person is still choking, do up to 5 chest or abdominal thrusts.

Unconscious: Roll the person onto their side and into the recovery position so their airway is clear.

Not breathing: Perform CPR – this means pushing hard and fast in the centre of their chest (100 to 120 beats per minute, roughly to the rhythm of “Staying Alive”) until help arrives.

Call for help

If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, it is essential that you call 999 immediately.

If you require help getting back on the road to good health after being treated for a medical emergency, book an appointment at YourGP where our team of experienced GPs can offer tailored advice and support, based on your needs. Book your appointment via our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 556 2525 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.