Health and Body · Topic 8 of 118

Basic First Aid

For a small cut, clean it with water and cover it with a plaster. For serious injuries, tell an adult and call for emergency help.

💡 Fun fact

The emergency number differs by country, e.g. 911 in the USA, 999 in the UK, 112 in many places.

All about Basic First Aid

First aid is the help you give someone who is hurt or unwell before professional medical help arrives. For a small cut, wash it with clean water, press gently to stop any bleeding and cover it with a plaster or clean dressing.

For any serious injury, call for an adult straight away. Never give medicine to someone unless an adult has told you it is safe. Learning first aid is a great skill to have.

Press on a bleeding wound with a clean cloth to slow the bleeding, and keep pressing until it stops.

Always tell a trusted adult if someone is badly hurt, and call emergency services if needed.

🎮 Try it yourself!

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👀 What the animation shows

This animation shows a grazed knee being cleaned with water and covered with a plaster. Watch each step of the first aid being carried out in order.

Real-life uses of Basic First Aid

Cleaning a grazed knee after falling over
Knowing when to call an adult or emergency services
Helping a friend who has a nosebleed

Frequently asked questions about Basic First Aid

What should I do if someone is not breathing?

Call emergency services immediately and get an adult. A trained person may start CPR, which is why first aid courses are so valuable.

What is the best way to stop a nosebleed?

Sit forward, pinch the soft part of the nose for about 10 minutes and breathe through the mouth. Tell an adult if it does not stop.

Should I put anything on a burn?

Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, cover it loosely and get an adult to check it. Do not use ice or butter.