First Aid

Asthma

Asthma is a serious respiratory condition that causes narrowing of the airways. Read

Bites and stings

Insect bites and stings usually cause little harm unless there is a severe allergic reaction. Read

Bleeding

Minor bleeding can usually be treated at home with simple washing and bandaging the wound. Read

Burns

Burns are commonly caused by the sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity or chemicals. Read

Car crash: what now?

If you are at the scene of an accident, what do you do? Follow these steps to save a life. Read

Choking

Small children are most at risk for choking, when an object gets stuck in the airway. Read

CPR

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) saves lives. Someone’s life may depend on you reading this section. Read

Dealing with an emergency

No one wants to imagine having to deal with emergencies. But you can be a lifesaver if you know what to do and are able to help. Read

Dehydration

Dehydration occurs when there is insufficient water in the body. Read

Diabetes: first aid

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening state that occurs when blood glucose levels are extremely high. Diabetics are also at risk of dangerously low blood glucose levels. Read

Dog bites

Dog bites may cause injury and septic wounds, and carry the risk of transmitting tetanus and rabies. Read

Drowning

Children under three years are most at risk of drowning, which can take only a few minutes. Read

Electric shock

Electric shock is when an electrical current passes through the body. Read

Eye injuries

Eye injuries are caused by foreign objects, chemicals or a blow to the eye. Read

Eyes: first aid

Eye injuries may be caused by a foreign object or chemical entering the eye, or a blow to the eye. Here's what to do to prevent further damage to this delicate organ. Read

Fainting

Fainting occurs when blood supply to the brain is momentarily inadequate, causing brief loss of consciousness. Read

Fever

Fever is when body temperature rises above normal (over 37°C). Read

First aid for blisters

Blisters heal quickly once the pressure is relieved. We show you how. Read

First aid in the workplace

Every workplace should have a central point (operations centre in a big factory, switchboard in a small office) through which emergency action is co-ordinated. Read

First aid kit

Every household should have a well-stocked first aid kit. Keep one in your home and one in your car. Read

First aid: the basics

First aid is immediate care given to someone with an injury or sudden illness - until this is resolved or more advanced care reaches them. Read

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when one of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked by a blood clot. Read

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a medical emergency that occurs in hot, humid conditions. Core body temperature rises to 41 ° C . Read

Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation (hyper - too much, ventilation - breathing) is a condition in which a person experiences abnormal, increased rate and depth of breathing, for a prolonged period. Read

Hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 37°C. Read

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are common, and can usually be treated at home. Read

Poisoning

Poison may be swallowed, inhaled, absorbed through the mucous membranes or skin, or injected. Read

Road accidents

When stopping to assist at the scene of an accident, park in a safe position that does not add to an already dangerous situation. Read

Safety in the kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. But it is also the room in the house where most accidents happen. What should you look out for? Read

Seizure and epilepsy

A seizure is an uncontrolled burst of activity in the brain. Read

Shock

Shock is when blood pressure drops suddenly and drastically, which may lead to tissue damage and death. Read

Snakebite

Snake bites are seldom fatal, but they can cause permanent injury. Read

Spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is always an emergency: it could lead to chronic pain, paralysis or death. Read

Stroke

Stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, usually by a blood clot. Read

Sunburn

Long day at the beach, enjoyed the summer sun too much? Here's how to treat sunburn. Read

The recovery position

The recovery position is used to keep the airway open and prevent choking in a semiconscious or unconscious person. Read

Treat the pain of a sprain

Yeah-yeah! Been there, done that! Sooner or later, it's bound to happen. Read

What to do if you have been raped

Jes Foord was gang raped a year ago. Her attackers are to be sentenced today. Here's how you can show your support. Read

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