First Aid Basics

First Aid Basics

First aid is about keeping someone alive and preventing further harm until professional help arrives.
All drivers should know a few simple steps — you may one day save a life.

Legal Essentials

• Drivers should be prepared to give simple first aid until emergency services arrive. ^[1]
• You must call 911 immediately if someone is injured. ^[1]
• Casualties must not be moved unless there is immediate danger. ^[1]

Good Practice

• Check for danger — ensure the area is safe before helping.
• Call 911 — request ambulance or police assistance.
• Check responsiveness — tap and speak to the person.
• Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC):
• Open the airway with head tilt–chin lift.
• Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
• If not breathing, begin CPR (30 chest compressions, 2 rescue breaths).
• Control bleeding — apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth.
• Keep them calm and warm until professional help arrives.

Special Considerations

• Severe bleeding: Apply pressure directly and elevate if possible.
• Unconscious but breathing: Place in the recovery position.
  

  

• Burns: Cool with clean water for at least 10 minutes; never apply grease or ice.
• Shock: Lay the person down, raise legs slightly, and cover with a blanket.
• When not to move someone: Only move if there is fire, explosion risk, or traffic danger. ^[1]

Exam Pointers

• You must know the ABC checks (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). ^[1]
• Expect questions like: “What should you do if someone is unconscious but breathing?” → place them in the recovery position.
• You should know: never move an injured person unless there is immediate danger. ^[1]

Frequently Asked Questions