What is first aid?

• A. Care rendered prior to medical personnel arrival
• B. Professional medical treatment
• C. Diagnostic procedures
• D. Long-term home care

Answer: (A)

First aid is immediate, temporary care given to someone who is ill or injured before professional medical help is available. The goal is to preserve life, prevent the condition from getting worse, and provide basic comfort while more advanced care is arranged. It covers actions like calling for help, ensuring scene safety, performing basic life support if trained, controlling severe bleeding, immobilizing suspected fractures, and treating minor injuries within your training. It is not professional medical treatment, it does not involve diagnosing underlying causes, and it isn’t long-term care—those come after the person is under professional care or once the situation is stabilized.