What is First Aid?

First Aid usually refers to the provision of initial care for an illness or injury, this term First Aid is an umbrella that covers many different options. Everyone has seen a first aid kit whether it was on the wall at a school or in their kitchen cupboard or in their camping supplies.

Some may wonder where did this term come from?

Early records from the 11th Century show that first aid was performed by religious knights, such as the Knights Hospitaller, who provided care to pilgrims and knights, and training other knights in how to treat common battlefield injuries. Most people have heard of and are aware of organisations like the Red Cross founded in 1863, St. John Ambulance formed in 1877 and the American Red Cross in 1881, all of these wonderful organisations were created from and based on the ethical values and principles of the Knights Hospitaller.

The key objective of first aid can be summarized in three key areas:-

Preserve life: The overriding objective of all medical care, including first aid, is to save lives!

Prevent further harm: This is sometimes referred to preventing the condition from worsening, or danger of further injury, such as moving a patient away from any cause of harm, applying first aid techniques to prevent worsening of the condition, such as applying pressure to stop a bleed becoming dangerous.

Promote recovery: First aid also involves trying to start the recovery process from the illness or injury; this may involve completing a treatment, such as in the case of applying a plaster to a small wound.

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