What basic first aid should everyone know?

Emergencies can strike anytime, anywhere, and affect anyone. In those crucial first moments, everyday people – not professionals – are often the first to respond. In many emergencies, it’s ordinary individuals with basic first-aid knowledge who make the difference between life and death.

First aid is the immediate care given to someone who is suddenly ill or injured. Sometimes that basic care is all a person needs. In more serious situations, it can prevent the condition from worsening and help keep them alive until medical professionals arrive.

At Tracker, we believe that To Care is to Protect, and there is no greater expression of care than saving a life. While official first-aid training is always the best preparation, there are lifesaving basics everyone can learn right away.

What should I do first in an emergency?
• Prioritise safety – Before you help someone, ensure the scene is safe. Then provide care according to what you see and based on your level of training.
• Protect yourself – Use gloves or any barrier available to avoid contact with bodily fluids. If you have personal protective equipment (PPE), use it.
• Call for help – Call 112 from any mobile phone or 10177 for ambulance services.
• Limit movement – Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger, especially if you suspect a head, neck, or spinal injury.
• Avoid giving medication – Never administer medication unless you are authorised or the person has their own prescribed emergency treatment, such as an EpiPen.

How do I handle common first-aid situations?

Allergic reactions
• Call emergency services immediately – severe allergic reactions can rapidly escalate into life threatening anaphylactic shock.
• If an EpiPen is unavailable, an antihistamine may help mild symptoms while you wait for help.

Bleeding
• Clean minor cuts with water and cover with a sterile dressing or plaster.
• For moderate to severe bleeding, apply firm, direct pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.
• Raise an injured limb above the heart if possible.
• Do not remove soaked bandages; add more layers.
• If an object is embedded, do not remove it. Stabilise it and seek help urgently.

Broken bones
• Do not attempt to put broken bones back in place.
• Keep the injured area as still as possible using padding or a makeshift splint.
• Call emergency services so the person can be transported to hospital safely.

Burns
• If it’s a light burn, run the area under cool, not cold, water for 5-20 minutes.
• Do not use ice, butter, toothpaste, Vaseline or other oily remedies.
• If the skin is unbroken, apply a burn shield or sterile non‑stick dressing.
• Do not burst blisters.

Choking
• Give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades.
• If ineffective, use the Heimlich manoeuvre:
Stand behind the person and lean them slightly forward. Put your arm around the top of their abdomen, clench your fist and place it between their bellybutton and rib cage. Grab your fist with your other hand and give 5 quick upward thrusts, as if you were trying to lift them up.
• For someone pregnant or obese, use chest thrusts instead.

Electric shock
• Do not touch the person until the power source is off.
• Check for breathing and responsiveness.
• If unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR if trained.

Fainting
• Check that the person is breathing normally.
• If so, lay them down, elevate their legs slightly, and keep them warm with a blanket, while allowing them time to recover.
• Do not give food or drinks, or try get them to smell something strong.

Head injuries
• Seek medical care immediately — even minor bumps can cause internal bleeding and swelling.
• Watch for any behavioural changes such as confusion, drowsiness, or weakness.
• If the person is unconscious, do not move them unless CPR is required.

Sprains
• Follow the RICE method:
o Rest – Keep the area still.
o Ice – Wrap an icepack in a towel and apply for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
o Compression – Wrap with an elastic compression bandage for support.
o Elevation – Raise the injured limb above heart level to reduce swelling.
• If you suspect the bone may be broken, seek medical attention.

Unresponsive and not breathing
• If trained, begin CPR immediately. Continue until help arrives.

Remember that these tips are just first steps that should never be employed without subsequent emergency medical care for serious injuries. Call for help immediately if:
• The person is unconscious or unresponsive.
• There is severe bleeding that won’t stop.
• The person is struggling to breathe or has chest pain.
• There is a suspected head or spinal injury or broken bone.

Learning first aid is one of the simplest ways to protect the people around you. Keep a basic first aid kit at home and in your car. It will help you easily attend to unexpected minor injuries and could help save a life while waiting for emergency responders.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical training or advice.



What should I know?
What is the most important thing to do first in an emergency?
Always check that the scene is safe before approaching. Your safety comes first – once you’re safe, you can assess the situation, call for help, and provide care.

When should I call emergency services?
Call 112 or 10177 if someone is unconscious, having trouble breathing, bleeding heavily, or may have a head, neck, or spinal injury. When in doubt, call – it’s always better to get help early.

What basic first-aid skills can help me save a life?
Knowing how to control severe bleeding, treat burns, assist someone who is choking, and perform CPR (if trained) are some of the most valuable lifesaving skills anyone can learn.