First Aid Certification Guide
Top Certifications
|------|----------|------|-------|
| **BLS (Basic Life Support)** | American Heart Association | $50 | 2 years |
|---|
| First Aid / CPR / AED | Red Cross | $60 | 2 years |
| Emergency First Response (EFR) | PADI | $80 | 2 years |
| Wilderness First Aid (WFA) | NOLS / SOLO | $200 | 3 years |
| First Aid at Work (FAW) | HSE UK | $200 | 3 years |
Core Exam Topics
CPR SEQUENCE (Adult):
1. Check scene safety
2. Check responsiveness — tap shoulders, shout "Are you okay?"
3. Call for help — dial 108 (India) / 911 (US) / 999 (UK)
4. Open airway — head-tilt chin-lift
5. Check breathing — look, listen, feel (10 seconds)
6. Start chest compressions:
- Position: heel of hand on centre of chest
- Depth: 5–6 cm (adults), 4 cm (children)
- Rate: 100–120 compressions per minute
- Ratio: 30 compressions : 2 rescue breaths
7. Use AED as soon as available — follow voice prompts
8. Continue until: victim recovers | EMS arrives | you are exhausted
AED USE:
Power ON → attach pads (right collarbone, left side under arm)
→ CLEAR everyone → SHOCK if advised → resume CPR immediately
CHOKING (Heimlich Manoeuvre):
Conscious adult: 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts, alternate
Unconscious: start CPR, look in mouth before rescue breaths
Infant: 5 back blows face-down + 5 chest thrusts face-up
BLEEDING CONTROL:
Apply direct pressure with clean cloth — do not remove
Elevate limb above heart level
Tourniquet: only for life-threatening limb bleeding
Pressure points: brachial (arm), femoral (leg)
BURNS:
Cool running water 20 minutes (not ice, not butter)
Cover with clean non-stick dressing
Seek medical help for: face, hands, genitals, >1% body area, deep burns
DO NOT: burst blisters, remove stuck clothing, use toothpaste
FRACTURES:
Immobilise above and below injury — do not straighten deformed limb
Apply splint with padding | check circulation distal to fracture
Signs: pain, swelling, deformity, inability to use limb
SHOCK MANAGEMENT:
Lay flat, raise legs 30 cm (unless head/chest/spine injury)
Keep warm, reassure, do NOT give food or drink
Monitor breathing and consciousness
Call emergency services immediately
Study Resources
•St John Ambulance (sja.org.uk) — free first aid guides
•Red Cross First Aid App — free, step-by-step emergency instructions
•BLS Handbook — American Heart Association official guide
•ILCOR Guidelines (ilcor.org) — international resuscitation standards
Revision Notes
CPR: 30:2 ratio | 100-120/min rate | 5-6cm depth (adults)
AED: on → pads → clear → shock → CPR immediately
CHOKING: 5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts (conscious adult)
BLEEDING: direct pressure → elevate → tourniquet (last resort)
BURNS: cool water 20min — NOT ice, NOT butter, NOT toothpaste
SHOCK: lay flat, raise legs, keep warm, do NOT give food/water
