First Aid Guru

Episode 1 of 14 · 2 min read

What is First Aid? The Three Priorities

First aid is the initial treatment you give to someone who is injured or unwell before further help arrives. Every first aider works to three priorities: preserve life, prevent the injury getting worse, and promote recovery.

The three priorities of first aid

Whether you are at home or at work, first aid gives someone their best chance of survival before professional help takes over. You do not need to be a medic. Basic skills, applied calmly and with common sense, are what save lives.

  1. 1

    Preserve life.

    Stem a serious bleed. Start CPR and keep going until the ambulance or a defibrillator arrives. These actions keep someone alive.

  2. 2

    Prevent the injury getting worse.

    Lie a casualty in shock down and raise their legs. Sit someone down the moment they feel dizzy, before they fall. Apply pressure and a bandage to a bleed.

  3. 3

    Promote recovery.

    Give a dizzy, dehydrated casualty something sugary to drink. Recognise when someone needs hospital treatment and call an ambulance early so they get it.

What counts as first aid?

First aid is the help you give in the gap between an incident and professional care. That gap is where outcomes are decided: a blocked airway cleared, a bleed controlled, chest compressions started within seconds rather than minutes.

Common questions

Do I need a qualification to give first aid?

No. Anyone can give first aid, and doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. A regulated course teaches you the skills hands-on and is strongly recommended, especially for workplace first aiders.

What are the three Ps of first aid?

Preserve life, prevent the condition getting worse, and promote recovery. They set your priorities in every incident.

Related skills

Action in an EmergencyPrimary Survey · DRABCFirst Aid Law

Go beyond reading

Skills stick when you practise them

A certified course puts these skills in your hands: real CPR practice, real feedback, a recognised certificate for work. One-day Emergency First Aid at Work courses run across the UK.

Find a certified course

First Aid Guru guides support learning and refreshing your knowledge. They are not a substitute for regulated, hands-on first aid training or for professional medical advice. In an emergency call 999 (UK) and follow the call handler's instructions.