Your duties as a first aider

Being a first aider

First aid is based on knowledge, training and expertise. A first aider will have completed a practical training course under the supervision of a recognised first aid organisation.

If you're present at the scene of an accident, or during a medical emergency, you need to go through the following stages:

Assess the situation

• Take control of your feelings, don't act impulsively
• Look for continuing danger, to the casualties and to yourself
• Decide whether to call for emergency help

Assess the casualties

Quiet casualties should always be your first priority

A quiet casualty may be an indication that the person is unconscious. Quiet casualties should always be your first priority.

• Prioritise treatment of casualties according to severity of injury
• Check response by asking casualties whether they are all right
• Check airway
• Check breathing
• If a casualty isn't breathing, ask somebody to call 999 immediately and give 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths
• Continue this sequence until emergency help arrives or the casualty starts to show some response

Further assistance to casualties

• Aim to give all casualties early and effective help
• Arrange for casualties to be taken to hospital where necessary
• Remain with casualty until help arrives
• Prevent cross-infection between yourself and the casualty
• Take care of casualty's possessions and ensure they accompany the casualty to hospital

First aid training

There are many recognised first aid training organisations around the country, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a course near your home.

Alternatively, if you work, your employer may provide or subsidise first aid training. If you're the parent of a young child, your health visitor may know of suitable first aid courses.

Courses vary in length - some are as short as half a day.

When it finishes, you'll be tested by a qualified first aider in the essential skills you've learned. If you pass, you'll receive a certificate.

Charges vary depending on the trainer, and the type and length of course you choose.

Training checklist

1. How much does the training course cost?
2. What are the trainer's qualifications?
3. What experience does the trainer have?
4. When and where will the training session take place?
5. Will I get an opportunity to practise before my assessment?
6. Will there by a written part to the assessment or is it just practical?
7. What happens if I'm not competent in any part of the training?
8. How many people will be in my training session?
9. What insurance does the trainer have?