First Aid Summary

Updated: 19.01.2021

First Aid Summary

First aid: first and immediate assistance in an emergency
First aid kit: supplies and equipnet used to give emergency medical treatment

Bleeding: blood escaping the body
          External bleeding: blood leaving the body through a wound
          Internal bleeding: blood collecting inside the body
          Arterial bleeding: from an artery, the blood is bright and flows quicky
          Venous bleeding: from a vein, the blood id dark and flows slowly

Asphyxiation: not breathing properly, defficient suppy of oxygen causes hypoxia

          Choking: object stuck in the throat or windpipe, blocks the air from flowing

          Strangling: compression of the neck, closure of the airways and arteries

CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation to manually preserve intact brain function
           30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths

Bone fracture: an X-ray necessary, treatment should involve immobilization, a splint can by applied to a broken limb, the wound shoud be cleaned and protected by sterile dressing



First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person suffering from illnes or injury. Its aim is to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening and to promote recovery. An emergency usually involves loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes, difficulty breathing, overdose or poisoning. A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give medical treatment.
          The primary goals of first aid are the 5P's, preserve life, reduce the level of pain, prevent further harm, promote recovery and protect the unconscious.

Bleeding, also called hemorrhage, is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels.
           External bleeding is when blood is leaving the body through a wound. Internal bleeding is a loss of blood that collects inside the body. The symptoms include coughing up or vomiting blood, faintness or dizziness, weak pulse and pale skin. This medical emergency should be treated immediately by medical professionals, the first aid giver should call to the emergency medical services, lay the patient down and check vital functions.
          Venous bleeding occurs when a vein is damaged, the blood is dark red and leaks slowly and steadily from the wound. First aid includes applying pressure and dressing, if a limb is wounded, lifting up the limb can also help.
          Arterial bleeding occurs when an artery is damaged, the blood is bright red to yellowish, sprays out of the wound and the patient is usually pale. First aid includes applying pressure and dressing, if a limb is wounded, lifting up the limb can also help. A tourniquet can also by used to slow the bleeding.

Asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen that arises from abnormal breathing. It causes generalized hypoxia, a pathological state of insufficient supply of oxygen.
          This can happen for example by choking, when an object becomes stuck in the throat or the windpipe and blocks air from flowing into the lungs. Symptoms include inability to speak, difficulty in breathing, violent coughing, clutching the throat, attempting to induce vomiting, change of colour in the face and unconsciousness. The basic treatment involves hard back slaps and then Heimlich maneuver. If the person loses consciousness, CPR is recommended.
          Drowning is defined as respiratory impairment as a result of being in a liquid, usually water. Symptoms following rescue may include breathing problems, vomiting, confusion and unconsciousness. Treatment should include opening the airway and performing CPR if the heart is not beating.
          Strangling is compression of the neck, it typically occurs in cases of violence and accidents. It can induce one or more conditions, some leading to death, including closure of arteries and veins and closure of the airway. The constriction from the neck should be immediately removed, while the body is supported. The patient should be moved as little as possible, in case of spinal injury. The patient should be laid down, the airway opened and CPR performed if necessary.

How to Perform CPR

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function in a person who is in cardiac arrest. It involves chest compressions for adults 5-6cm deep and at a rate of 100-120 per minute, set to breathing ratios at 30 to 2. It alone is unlikely to restart the heart, its main purpose is to delay tissue damage and death, especially brain damage. An untrained person may deliver hands-only CPR.

STEP 1: shake and stout
STEP 2: check breathing and bleeding
STEP 3: call emergency services
STEP 4: give 30 chest compressions
STEP 5: give 2 rescue breaths
STEP 6: repeat until help arrives

Other Conditions

A medical emergency is an acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person's life or health. These emergencies require assistance dependent of the severity of the condition.
           Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, occurs rarely with stings and insect bites. Symptoms include swelling, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, vomiting, low blood pressure and a rash.  Swelling can be life-threatening and urgent medical attention is required. Carrying an epinephrine autoinjection and identification regarding the condition is recommended in people with a history of this condition.
          A bone fracture is a condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the bone, severe cases include bone broken into several pieces. Symptoms include pain, deformity, swelling and bruising, loss of function, inability to move, and in open fractures, bone protruding from the skin. Treatment should involve immobilization, a splint can by applied to a broken limb, the wound shoud be cleaned and protected by sterile dressing. Later treatment can involve surgical corrections.
          A burn is a type of injury to tissues caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction or radiation. Treatment depends on the severity of the burn, major burns require prolonged treatment in specialized burn centres. Cooling with water may help pain and decrease damage, a sterile bandage can be applied. Clothing stuck to the skin should not be removed and ice and creams should not be applied. Scalding is a form of thermal burn resulting from heated fluids. Most scalds are considered first or second degree burns, but prolonged contact can cause more damage.
          A joint dislocation, also called luxation, occurs when there is an abnormal separation in the joint, often caused by sudden trauma. It can cause damage to the ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves, symptoms include pain, joint instability and deformity, bruising, stiffness and difficulty moving. Reduction should be performed only by trained professionals, an untrained person can substantially worsen the injury. It is important that the joint is x-rayed and reduced as soon as possible and they are usually held in place by a splint or bandage.

First Aid

Updated: 20.02.2024

First Aid

First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to any person suffering from illnes or injury. Its aim is to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening and to promote recovery. It includes initial intervention prior to professional medical help being available. It does not require any particular equipment or prior knowledge, it can involve improvisation by untrained people. It is about making common sense decisions in the best interest of the patient.
          An emergency usually involves loss of consciousness, heavy blood loss, suspected broken bones, chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes, difficulty breathing, overdose or poisoning.
          The primary goal of first aid is to preserve life, to prevent death or serious injury from worsening. The overriding aim of medical care is to save lives and minimize the threat of death.
          Done correctly, first aid should reduce the level of pain and calm the person down. The treatment process should alleviate suffering.
          First aid should prevent further harm, for example during transportation. The patient should be removed from the dangerous location and first aid should prevent worsening the condition.
          It should also try to start the recovery process. First aid should start the healing process and promote recovery.
          Part of first aid is also the protection of those, who cannot protect themselves. It is always important to protect the unconscious patients from any further harm.

A first aid kit is a collection of supplies and equipment used to give medical treatment. They are usually identified with a graphical first aid symbol, a cross and the colours red, white and green or the blue Star of Life on a white background. Common items may include iodine, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, disposable gloves, surgical masks, scissors, tweeters, lighters, thermometers and painkillers.

Protocols of first aid are based on the principle of defining the priorities and the procedure. The correct execution of the individual steps achieves the required objective of saving human life. These protocols require minimum resources, time and skills with a great degree of success in saving lives.

Bleeding - external and internal

Bleeding, also called hemorrhage, is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels. Hypovolemia, or volume depletion, is a state of decreased intravascular volume. Exsanguination is the death by excessive loss of blood. Tpically, a healthy person can lose 10-15% of blood without serious medical difficulties. The stopping or controlling of bleeding is called hemostasis, it is an important part of first aid. A blood donation is when a person voluntarily gives blood for transfusions, it is stored in blood banks.
          Blood loss is broken down into four classes. Class I involves up to 15% of blood volume, there is no change in vital signs. Class II involves up to 30% of total blood volume, the patient is often tachycardiac (rapid heart beat), pale with cool skin and there is a change in blood pressure. Class II involves up to 40% of blood volume, the patient's blood pressure drops, the heart rate increases, shock occurs and a blood transfusion is usually necessary. Class IV involves the loss of more that 40% of blood volume, this is the limit of the human body and transfusion and resuscitation are required to prevent death.
          Internal bleeding is a loss of blood that collects inside the body. It is a serious medical emergency, the severity depends on the bleeding rate and the location of the bleeding. The symptoms include coughing up or vomiting blood, faintness or dizziness, weak pulse and pale skin. This medical emergency should be treated immediately by medical professionals, the first aid giver should call to the emergency medical services, lay the patient down and check vital functions.
          External bleeding is when blood is leaving the body through a wound.
               Capillary bleeding is normally not a serious condition and blood vessels are able to clot and stop it by themselves.
               Venous bleeding occurs when a vein is damaged, the blood is dark red and leaks slowly and steadily from the wound. Most veins will collapse when cut, which will help slow the bleeding, but a deep vein bleeding can be difficult to control. First aid includes applying pressure and dressing, if a limb is wounded, lifting up the limb can also help.
               Arterial bleeding occurs when an artery is damaged, the blood is bright red to yellowish, sprays out of the wound and the patient is usually pale. First aid includes applying pressure and dressing, if a limb is wounded, lifting up the limb can also help. A tourniquet can also by used to slow the bleeding.

Airway and Breathing

Asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen that arises from abnormal breathing. It causes generalized hypoxia, a pathological state of insufficient supply of oxygen. The complete deprivation of oxygen supply is referred to as anoxia.
          This can happen for example by choking, when an object becomes stuck in the throat or the windpipe and blocks air from flowing into the lungs. It is a common cause of unintentional injury-related death, especially for young children and the elderly. Symptoms include inability to speak, difficulty in breathing, violent coughing, clutching the throat, attempting to induce vomiting, change of colour in the face and unconsciousness. The basic treatment involves hard back slaps and then Heimlich maneuver. If the person loses consciousness, CPR is recommended.
          Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs from breathing in carbon monoxide at excessive levels. The CO is a colourless and odorless gas which is initially non-irritating, it has a higher affinity than oxygen to the hemoglobin and displaces it in red blood cells. Symptoms may resemble the flu, they include headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Large exposures can result in loss of consciousness, arrhythmia, seizure and death. Treatment generally consists of giving 100% oxygen and supportive care.
          Drowning is defined as respiratory impairment as a result of being in a liquid. Significant amounts of liquid usually only enter the lungs later during drowning. Symptoms following rescue may include breathing problems, vomiting, confusion and unconsciousness. Treatment should include opening the airway and performing CPR if the heart is hot beating.
          Strangling is compression of the neck, it typically occurs in cases of violence and accidents. It can induce one or more conditions, some leading to death, including closure of arteries and veins and closure of the airway. Compression of the jugular veins requires 6times less pressure than the trachea. Manual strangulation is called throttling, chokeholds are practiced in various martial arts and self-defense systems. Ligature strangulation, also called garroting, is strangling with some form of cord.
               Hanging is the suspension of a person by a noose around the neck, it is a common method of execution and of suicide. The strangling force is the person's own bodyweight. It can induce one or more conditions, some leading to death, including closure of arteries and veins, cervical fracture and spinal cord injury and closure of the airway.
                The constriction from the neck should be immediately removed, while the body is supported. The patient should be moved as little as possible, in case of spinal injury. The patient should be laid down, the airway opened and CPR performed if necessary.

How to Perform CPR

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function in a person who is in cardiac arrest. It involves chest compressions for adults 5-6cm deep and at a rate of 100-120 per minute, set to breathing ratios at 30 to 2. It alone is unlikely to restart the heart, its main purpose is to delay tissue damage and death, especially brain damage. An untrained person may deliver hands-only CPR.

     STEP 1: shake and stout
Keep calm. Check for danger. Check for response (gently shake the person and speak to them). Shout for help.

     STEP 2: check breathing and bleeding
Stop the bleeding. Check for breathing (chest movements, feeling of breath) for no more than 10 seconds. Do not confuse gaps with normal breathing.
If an unconscious person is breathing normally, put them in the recovery position and call emergency services.
If you are not sure, act as if the breathing is not normal.
If breathing is not normal, open the airway. Support the head, gently tilt it back and lift the chin. Clean the mouth of foreign objects. Do not remove the helmet.

     STEP 3: call emergency services
If there are more people, ask them to assist you.

     STEP 4: give 30 chest compressions
Put the heel of one hand in the centre of the chest. Place your other hand on the top of the first and interlock your fingers. With straight arms, push the breastbone down firmly and smoothly and release. Repeat 30 times, 2 pushes per second.

STEP 5: give 2 rescue breaths
Give mouth to mouth. Hold the nose closed. The patients chest should rise and fall. This should take no longer than 5 seconds. Check for breathing.

     STEP 6: repeat until help arrives
Keep going until professional help arrives or the patient starts to show signs of regaining consciousness.

Other Conditions

A medical emergency is an acute injury or illness that poses an immediate risk to a person's life or health. These emergencies require assistance dependent of the severity of the condition.
          Altitude sickness can cause potentially fatal swelling of the brain or lungs. Symptoms occur hours after ascent and include headache, fatigue, sleep disturbance and dizziness, but can become much worse. The most serious symptoms arise from edema, HAPE is the high altitude pulmonary edema. This condition can be prevented and the only reliable treatment is to descend.
           Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, occurs rarely with stings and insect bites. Symptoms include swelling, breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, vomiting, low blood pressure and a rash.  Swelling can be life-threatening and urgent medical attention is required. Carrying an epinephrine autoinjection and identification regarding the condition is recommended in people with a history of this condition.
          A bone fracture is a condition in which there is a partial or complete break in the bone, severe cases include bone broken into several pieces. Symptoms include pain, deformity, swelling and bruising, loss of function, inability to move, and in open fractures, bone protruding from the skin. Treatment should involve immobilization, a splint can by applied to a broken limb, the wound should be cleaned and protected by sterile dressing. Later treatment can involve surgical corrections.
          A burn is a type of injury to tissues caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction or radiation. Treatment depends on the severity of the burn, major burns require prolonged treatment in specialized burn centres. Cooling with water may help pain and decrease damage, a sterile bandage can be applied. Clothing stuck to the skin should not be removed and ice and creams should not be applied.
               A first-degree burns are superficial and affect only the top skin layers, they appear red and hurt about three days. A second-degree burn extends to underlying skin layers, blisters are frequently present and very painful, they can heal up to eight weeks and scarring may occur. A third-degree burn is a full-thickness that extends to all layers of the skin, there is often no pain and the area is stiff. A fourth-degree burn involves injury to deeper tissues, it is often black and leads to loss of the burned part.
               Scalding is a form of thermal burn resulting from heated fluids. Most scalds are considered first or second degree burns, but prolonged contact can cause more damage.
          Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of blood flow resulting from the failure of the heart to pump effectively. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, abnormal breathing, chest pain and nausea. If not treated with CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) within minutes, it typically leads to death.
          Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort to the left, an also shortness of breath, nausea, feeling faint, cold sweat and feeling tired. Treatment is time-critical and the patient should go to a hospital in under an hour. Aspirin and nitroglycerin can be given to the patient, supplemental oxygen can also help.
          Heat stroke, also called hyperthermia, is a condition where the body temperature is elevated due to failed thermoregulation. Symptoms can include heavy sweating, rapid breathing, confusion and a fast and weak pulse. A mild condition can be treated by increased water consumption and resting in a cool place. In a more serious condition, active cooling methods are used. When body temperature reached 40°C, treatment is a hospital is required.
          Hypothermia is defined as a body core temperature below 35°C. Symptoms of mild hypothermia include shivering and confusion and it is usually treated by warming the patient. In severe hypothermia, people often remove their clothes because they are confused and feel warm, this is called paradoxical undressing. Patients are rewarmed to 32°C and resuscitated, survival is possible and especially children are known to recover.
          A joint dislocation, also called luxation, occurs when there is an abnormal separation in the joint, often caused by sudden trauma. It can cause damage to the ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves, symptoms include pain, joint instability and deformity, bruising, stiffness and difficulty moving. Reduction should be performed only by trained professionals, an untrained person can substantially worsen the injury. It is important that the joint is x-rayed and reduced as soon as possible and they are usually held in place by a splint or bandage.
          Poisoning is a condition in which the patient becomes chemically harmed by a toxic substance or venom. Symptoms develop in close relation to the degree of exposure. Chronic poisoning is long-term repeated or continuous exposure to a poison, the patient gradually becomes ill. With swallowed poison, the remaining poison has to be removed from the mouth, but vomiting must not be induced. With skin poisoning, contaminated clothing should be removed and the skin needs to be properly rinsed, eye poisoning should be also carefully flushed out. If the poison is inhaled, the patient should be brought to fresh air.
           A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. There are two types, ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Symptoms may include inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, dizziness and loss of vision to one side. Emergency services should be called immediately. The patient should be kept safe and calm and should not eat or drink anything.

          Nosebleeds, also called epitaxis, happen when bloodvessels in the nose break. Patients should sit upright and put pressure on the nose, lean forward and put a cold towel on the back of the neck. If the bleeding does not stop in 20 minutes, medical attention is necessary.

           Frostbite is a skin injury that happens when exposed to low temperatures. It is common for fingers, toes, ears, cheeks and the nose. The skin turns white or blue and there may be swelling and blistering. Treatment is by rewarming by warm water or body contact and is often painful. Surgery is sometimes necessary for deep frostbite and there is a risk of amputation.

First Aid Vocabulary

Updated: 20.01.2021

First Aid Vocabulary

accident - nehoda
apply - aplikovat

asphyxiation - dušení

arterial bleeding - tepenné krvácení
assess - zhodnotit, stanovit

bleed - krvácet

bleeding - krvácení
blister - puchýř

blood - krev
blood loss - ztráta krve
blow - foukat
breathing - dýchání

bruise - modřina

burn - popálenina, popálit
bystander - přihlížející, okolostojící, svědek

(plaster) cast - sádra
casualty - oběť, zraněný
casualties - ztráty na životech
check / recheck - zkontrolovat / překontrolovat

chest compressions - masáž srdce, stlačení hrudníku
choke - dusit se
compression - stlačení

concussion - otřes mozku

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) - kardiopulmonární resuscitace

cut - řezná rána, pořezat se
dirt - špína

disinfection - desinfekce

dislocation - vymknutí, vykloubení
dressing - obvaz, krytí
drown - utopit se
emergency - stav nouze, mimořádná událost, naléhavý případ

emergency services - složky záchranného systému
faint - omdlít
feature - charakteristický znak
firm / firmly - pevný / pevně
first aid - první pomoc
first aid giver - osoba poskytující první pomoc
foreign body - cizí těleso

hurt - bolet, ublížit se
immerse - ponořit
immobilize - znehybnit

injure - zranit se
injury - zranění
interlock - propojit
lightheaded - cítit závrať
loosen - uvolnit
maintain - zachovat, udržet
make sure - ujistit se
moist - vlhký
mouth to mouth - dýchání z úst do úst
occur - přihodit se, vyskytnout se
ointment - mast
overcome - překonat
pad - vložka, vycpávka, polštář
pale - bledý
pinch - skřípnout, štípnout

plaster (cast) - sádra
poisoning - otrava
procedure - postup, procedura
provide - poskytnout
puncture - propíchnout
recovery - zotavení
recovery position - stabilizovaná poloha
remove - odstranit
repeat - opakovat

rescue breath - umělé dýchání
response - reakce, odezva
scald - opařit se, opařenina
seal - uzavřít
seek - hledat
seep - prosáknout
shape - tvar, podoba
snap - prasknout, křupnout

sprain - vymknout si
sterilize - sterilizovat, vydesinfikovat
sterile dressing - sterilní obvaz, krytí
sting - bodnití, štípnutí

strangling - škrcení
squeeze - zmáčknout
summon - přivolat, předvolat
suffocate - udusit se
support - podpořit, podložit
swab - vytřít tamponkem
swelling - otok, zduřenina
tenderness - citlivots na dotek
tilt - naklonit
treat - ošetřit
unconscious - v bezvědomí

venous bleeding - krvácení z žíly
victim - oběť