10 First Aid Skills Every Family Should Know

In a crisis, professional medical help may be hours or days away. Knowing basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death for your family. These 10 skills cover the most critical scenarios you might face.

1. Stop Severe Bleeding

The number one preventable cause of death in trauma is uncontrolled bleeding. Learn to:

• Apply direct pressure with a clean cloth
• Use a tourniquet for extremity bleeding (above the wound, tight enough to stop blood flow)
• Pack wounds with gauze or clean fabric
• Elevate the injured area above the heart when possible

2. CPR

If someone isn't breathing or has no pulse:

• Call for help (or send someone to call)
• 30 chest compressions (push hard and fast, 2 inches deep, center of chest)
• 2 rescue breaths (tilt head, lift chin, seal mouth, blow until chest rises)
• Continue 30:2 until help arrives or the person recovers

3. Choking Response

• For conscious adults: Heimlich maneuver (abdominal thrusts)
• For infants: 5 back blows + 5 chest thrusts
• For unconscious choking: Begin CPR, check mouth for visible objects

4. Treat Burns

• Cool the burn under running cool (not cold) water for 10-20 minutes
• Cover with a sterile, non-stick dressing
• Do NOT apply ice, butter, or toothpaste
• For severe burns: cover loosely, treat for shock, seek medical help

5. Splint Fractures

• Immobilize the joint above and below the suspected fracture
• Use rigid materials (sticks, boards, rolled magazines)
• Pad with soft material
• Secure with tape, cloth strips, or belt
• Check circulation below the splint regularly

6. Treat Dehydration

• Oral rehydration: mix 6 teaspoons sugar + 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1 liter clean water
• Give small, frequent sips
• Watch for signs: dry mouth, dark urine, dizziness, rapid heartbeat
• Severe dehydration requires medical intervention

7. Recognize and Treat Shock

Signs: pale/cool/clammy skin, rapid pulse, confusion, weakness

• Lay the person flat, elevate legs 12 inches
• Keep warm with blankets
• Do NOT give food or drink
• Monitor breathing and pulse
• Shock requires medical attention

8. Wound Cleaning

• Wash hands first
• Rinse wound under clean running water
• Remove debris with tweezers (sterilized)
• Apply antibiotic ointment
• Cover with sterile bandage
• Watch for infection signs: redness, swelling, warmth, pus

9. Heat Stroke vs Heat Exhaustion

Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, nausea. Move to shade, cool with water, give fluids.

Heat Stroke: No sweating, high temperature (104F+), confusion. This is a medical emergency. Cool rapidly with any means available. This can be fatal.

10. Hypothermia

Signs: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness

• Move to warm shelter
• Remove wet clothing
• Warm the core first (blankets, body heat, warm drinks if conscious)
• Do NOT rub extremities or apply direct heat to skin
• Severe hypothermia is a medical emergency

Build Your Knowledge

HAVEN includes comprehensive first aid guides, an AI assistant that can walk you through procedures step-by-step, and access to medical survival books like "Where There Is No Doctor" — all available offline when you need them most.