First aid is the initial care given to an injured person. Mostly, this timely care prior to the arrival of the medical help means the difference between life and death.

It must start immediately when the injury or illness occurs and continue until medical help arrives or the casualty recovers.

The basic aims of first aid are:

• To save life
  
• To protect the casualty from getting more harm
  
• To reduce pain and Priorities of Casualty Treatment

• Asphyxia
  
• Cardiac Arrest
  
• Severe Haemorrhage (Bleeding)
  
• Other Injuries/Illnesses
  
• Shock

IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT

Critical four minutes

One of the most common causes of a road accident death is due to loss of oxygen supply. This is mostly caused by a blocked airway. Normally it takes less than four minutes for a blocked airway to cause death.

The ‘golden hour’

The first hour after the trauma is called the ‘golden hour’. If proper first aid is given, road accident victims has a greater chance of survival and a reduction in the severity of their injuries.