First aid & emergencies

First aid and emergencies

Clear, referenced first-aid guides — what to do step by step, and when to call 999. 35 topics and growing. Not a substitute for a hands-on first-aid course.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 now. Use these guides to know what to do while help is on the way — they do not replace emergency services or a first-aid course.

Bites & stings

Insect Bites and StingsFor most insect bites and stings, remove any sting, apply a cold compress and treat itchin… Animal and Human BitesClean any bite that breaks the skin thoroughly with running water, cover it, and get medic… Snake BiteKeep the person calm and still, keep the bitten limb still and below heart level, and call… Tick BitesRemove an attached tick promptly and correctly with fine tweezers or a tick tool, clean th… Jellyfish and Marine StingsFor a jellyfish sting, rinse with seawater, remove tentacles carefully and soak in hot wat… Spider BitesMost UK spider bites are harmless — clean the area, apply a cold compress and take pain re…

Emergency

Choking (Adult or Child)If someone is choking and cannot speak, cough or breathe, give firm back blows then abdomi… Choking (Baby Under 1)For a choking baby, give up to 5 back blows then up to 5 chest thrusts (never abdominal th… CPR (Unresponsive, Not Breathing)If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999, start chest compressions … Recovery PositionIf someone is unresponsive but breathing normally, place them on their side in the recover… Severe BleedingFor severe bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound, call 999, and keep pressing… Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)For a severe allergic reaction, use an adrenaline auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) into t… Heart AttackIf you suspect a heart attack, call 999 immediately, help the person sit down and rest, an… Stroke (Act FAST)If you suspect a stroke, use the FAST test (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) and call 999 immedia… Seizure (Epileptic Fit)During a seizure, keep the person safe from injury, cushion their head, do not restrain th… Asthma AttackDuring an asthma attack, help the person sit up and take their reliever (blue) inhaler — o… Spinal InjuryIf you suspect a neck or back injury, keep the person still, support their head, and call … AmputationFor a severed body part, control the bleeding with firm pressure, call 999, and wrap the a… DrowningGet the person out of the water safely without putting yourself at risk, call 999, and sta… Diabetic EmergencyFor a conscious person with low blood sugar (a "hypo"), give something sugary; if they are… FaintingIf someone faints, lay them down and raise their legs; if they do not quickly come round o… Shock (Medical)Medical shock is a life-threatening drop in circulation — lay the person down, raise their…

Environmental

Heat Exhaustion and HeatstrokeCool an overheated person down and give fluids; if they do not improve within 30 minutes o… HypothermiaWarm a cold person gradually with dry clothing, blankets and warm drinks if alert; for sev… Electric ShockSwitch off the power before touching the person, then call 999 and treat any burns or star…

Injuries

Burns and ScaldsCool a burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, remove tight items before sw… Broken BoneKeep the injured area still and supported, do not try to straighten it, and get medical he… Head InjuryFor a head injury, apply a cold compress to any bump, watch closely for warning signs, and… NosebleedFor a nosebleed, sit forward and pinch the soft part of the nose for 10–15 minutes, breath… Sprains and StrainsFor a sprain or strain, follow RICE — Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation — for the first… Cuts and GrazesFor a minor cut or graze, clean it under running water, apply pressure to stop bleeding, a… Eye InjuryFor something in the eye, rinse gently with clean water; for chemicals in the eye, rinse c… Knocked-Out ToothFor a knocked-out adult tooth, handle it by the crown, gently reinsert it if you can, or k…

Poisoning

Swallowed PoisonIf someone has swallowed something poisonous, call 999 or 111 for advice, find out what an… Carbon Monoxide PoisoningIf you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, get everyone out into fresh air immediately, do …

See also

Conditions A–Z · Symptoms · Tests · Treatments & procedures · Healthy living

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