Every year in the UK, thousands of people die or are seriously injured in accidents. Many of these deaths could be prevented if first aid is given at the scene of the accident before emergency services arrive.
What to do
If someone is injured in an accident:
- First check that you and the casualty are not in any danger. If you are, make the situation safe.
- When it's safe to do so, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance, if necessary.
- Carry out basic first aid.
Read more information about what to do after an accident.
If someone is unconscious and breathing
If a person is unconscious but is breathing and has no other life-threatening conditions, they should be placed in the recovery position.
If someone is unconscious and not breathing
If a person is not breathing normally after an accident, call for an ambulance and then, if you can, start CPR straight away. Read more about CPR, including instructions and a video on hands-only CPR.
First aid courses
The information on these pages gives some guidance on common first aid situations. However, it is not a replacement for doing a first aid training course. Basic first aid courses are run regularly in most areas around the UK. St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross both provide a selection of first aid courses.
Common accidents and emergencies
Below, in alphabetical order, are some of the most common injuries needing emergency treatment in the UK and information on how to deal with them.
Anaphylaxis (or anaphylactic shock) is a severe allergic reaction that can occur after an insect sting or after a person eats certain foods, for example. The reaction can be very fast, happening within seconds or minutes of contact with the thing a person is allergic to.
During anaphylactic shock, a person may find it difficult to breathe and their tongue and throat may also swell, obstructing their airway.
If you suspect a person is experiencing anaphylactic shock, call 999 or 112 straight away.
Check if the person is carrying any medication. Some people who know they have severe allergies may carry epinephrine on them. This is a kind of adrenaline and usually comes in a pre-loaded syringe. You can either help the person administer their medication or, if you're trained to do so, give it to them yourself.
Make sure they are comfortable and can breathe as best they can while waiting for medical help to arrive. If they are conscious, sitting upright is normally the best position for them.
Read more about treating anaphylaxis.
Burns and scalds
In the event of a burn or scald:
- Cool the burn as quickly as possible with cold (but not ice-cold) running water for a minimum of 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved.
- Call 999 or seek medical help if necessary.
- While cooling the burn, carefully remove any clothing or jewellery, unless it is attached to the skin.
- Keep the person warm using a blanket or layers of clothing (avoiding the injured area) to prevent hypothermia. This is a risk if you are cooling a large burnt area, particularly in babies, children and elderly people.
- Cover the burn lengthways with strips of cling film or a clean plastic bag if the burn is on a hand or foot. If no plastic film is available, use a sterile dressing or non-fluffy material.
- Do not put creams, lotions or sprays on the burn.
- If appropriate, raise the limb to reduce the swelling and offer pain relief.
For chemical burns, wear protective gloves, remove any clothing affected, brush the chemical off the skin if it is a powder and rinse the burn with cold running water for a minimum of 20 minutes. If possible, determine what has caused the injury.
Be careful not to injure yourself, and wear protective clothing if necessary. Call 999 or 112 and arrange immediate medical attention.
Read more information about how to treat burns and scalds.
If someone has severe bleeding, the main aim is to prevent further loss of blood and minimise the effects of shock (see below).
First, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance as soon as possible.
If you have disposable gloves, then use them to reduce the risk of any infection being passed on.
Check that there is nothing embedded in the wound. If there is, take care not to press down on the object. Instead, press firmly on either side of the object and build up padding around it before bandaging to avoid putting pressure on the object itself. If there is nothing embedded:
- Apply and maintain pressure to the wound with your hand, using a clean pad if possible.
- Use a clean dressing to bandage the wound firmly.
- If the wound is on a limb and there are no fractures, raise the limb to decrease the flow of blood.
If a body part has been severed, such as a finger, do not put it in direct contact with ice. Wrap it in a plastic bag or cling film, then wrap it in a soft material and keep it cool. Once it is wrapped, if possible, place the severed body part in crushed ice.
Always seek medical help for the bleeding unless it is minor. If someone has a nosebleed that has not stopped after 20 minutes, go to the nearest hospital's accident and emergency department (A&E).
Read more information on:
The information below is for choking in adults and children over one year old. Read information about what to do if a baby under one year old is choking.
If the airway is only partly blocked, the person will usually be able to speak, cry, cough or breathe. In situations like this, a person will usually be able to clear the blockage themselves. If choking is mild:
- Encourage the person to continue coughing to try to clear the blockage.
- Remove any obvious obstruction from the mouth using your first two fingers and thumb.
If the obstruction is severe and the person is struggling to breathe, give up to five back blows (between the shoulder blades), using the heel of your hand. Carefully check the mouth and, if possible, remove any obstruction after every blow.
If this does not clear the obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts by following the steps below. This technique should not be used on babies under one year old, pregnant women or people who are obese:
- Stand behind the person who is choking.
- Place your arms around their waist and bend them well forward.
- Clench one first and place it just above the person's belly button and below the breastbone.
- Place your other hand on top, then pull sharply inwards and upwards.
- Repeat this up to five times until the object stuck in their throat comes out of their mouth.
The aim is to get the obstruction out with each chest thrust rather than necessarily doing all five. If the obstruction does not clear after three cycles of back blows and chest thrusts, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance and continue until help arrives.
The person choking should always be checked over by a health professional afterwards to check for any injuries caused by abdominal thrusts or any smaller pieces of the obstruction that remain.
Read more information about what to do if someone is choking.
Once the person is on land, if they are not breathing, give five initial rescue breaths before starting CPR. If you are alone, perform CPR for one minute before calling for emergency help.
Find out how to give CPR, including rescue breaths.
If the person is unconscious but still breathing, put them in the recovery position with their head lower than their body to allow water to drain out, and call an ambulance immediately.
If someone has been electrocuted, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance.
Switch off the electrical current at the mains to break the contact between the person and the electrical supply.
If you cannot reach the mains supply:
- Protect yourself by standing on some insulating material (such as a phone book).
- Using something dry and non-metal, such as a wooden broom handle, push the person away from the electrical source, or move the source away from the person if this is easier.
- Do not go near or touch the person until you are sure any electrical supply has been cut off.
- If the person is not breathing, carry out CPR and call an ambulance.
Always seek medical help unless the shock is very minor.
It can be difficult to tell if a person has a broken bone, or a joint or muscle injury. If you're in any doubt, treat the injury as a broken bone.
If the person is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or is bleeding severely, these should be dealt with first.
If the person is conscious, prevent any further injury by keeping them still until you get them safely to hospital. Assess the injury and decide the best way to get them to hospital. If they have a broken finger or arm, you may be able to drive them yourself without causing more harm. If they have a broken spine or leg, call for an ambulance.
- Support the limb. Do not move the person but keep them in the position you found them in. Support the injured part with anything you have handy, for example rolled up blankets or clothes.
- Get them to hospital, either by driving them yourself (if they have a minor fracture) or call for an ambulance.
- Look out for signs of shock. If the person is pale, cold and clammy, has a weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing, they are probably in shock (see below).
If you think that the person may have shock, lie them down and loosen any tight clothing. Do not raise an injured leg. Otherwise, if their injuries allow, raise their legs above the level of their heart by placing something suitable under their feet such as blankets or cushions.
Do not give the person anything to eat or drink as they may need a general anaesthetic when they reach hospital.
Read more information about specific broken bones:
A heart attacks is one of the most common life-threatening heart conditions in the UK.
If you think a person is having or has had a heart attack, make them as comfortable as possible and call 999 or 112 for an ambulance. Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- chest pain – the pain is usually located in the centre of the chest and can feel like a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing
- pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is travelling from the chest to one or both arms, jaw, neck, back or abdomen
Sit the person down, if possible in the "W" position (sitting up with the knees bent).
If they are conscious, reassure them and give them a 300mg aspirin tablet to chew slowly (unless there is any reason not to give them aspirin, for example if they are under 16 or allergic to it). If the person has any medication for angina, such as a spray or tablets, help them to take it. Monitor their vital signs, such as breathing, until help arrives.
If the person becomes unconscious, open their airway, check their breathing and, if necessary, start CPR.
Being poisoned is potentially life threatening. Most cases of poisoning in the UK occur when a person has swallowed a toxic substance such as bleach, prescription drugs or wild plants and fungi.
If you think someone has swallowed a poisonous substance, call 999 or 112 to get immediate medical help.
The effects of poisoning depend on the substance swallowed but can include vomiting, loss of consciousness, pain or a burning sensation:
- Find out what has been swallowed so you can tell the paramedic or doctor.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink unless a health professional advises you to.
- Never try to induce vomiting.
If the person is unconscious, while you wait for help:
- Make sure the airway is open and they are breathing. You open the airway by gently tilting the head back and lifting the chin to move the tongue away from the back of the mouth.
- If they are breathing, put them in the recovery position, preferably with their head down so any vomit can escape without being swallowed or inhaled.
- If they are not breathing, perform CPR until they start breathing or medical help arrives.
- If there are any chemicals on their mouth, use a face shield or pocket mask to protect yourself if you give rescue breaths.
Read more information about treating someone who has been poisoned.
In the case of a serious injury or illness, it is important to watch for signs of shock.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the circulatory system fails and, as a result, deprives the vital organs of oxygen. This is usually due to severe blood loss, but it can also happen after severe burns, severe vomiting, a heart attack, bacterial infection or severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
The type of shock described here is not the same thing as the emotional response of feeling shocked, which can also occur after an accident.
Signs of shock include:
- pale, cold, clammy skin
- rapid, shallow breathing
- weakness and dizziness
- feeling sick and possibly vomiting
If you notice any signs of shock in a casualty, seek medical help immediately:
- Dial 999 or 112 as soon as possible and ask for an ambulance.
- Treat any obvious injuries.
- Lay the person down if their injuries allow you to, and raise and support their legs.
- Use a coat or blanket to keep them warm, but not smothered.
- Do not give them anything to eat or drink.
- Give lots of comfort and reassurance.
- Monitor the person. If they stop breathing, start CPR.
FAST is the most important thing to remember when dealing with people who have had a stroke. The earlier they receive treatment, the better. Call for emergency medical help straight away.
If you suspect a person has had a stroke, use the FAST guide:
- Facial weakness: is the person unable to smile evenly, or are their eyes or mouth droopy?
- Arm weakness: is the person only able to raise one arm?
- Speech problems: is the person unable to speak clearly or understand you?
- Time to call 999 or 112 for emergency help if a person has any of these symptoms.
Read more information about the symptoms of a stroke.