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First-Aid Plan

First-Aid Plan

No matter where you are--at home, work, or school--there is always a chance of a medical emergency occurring, such as heart attacks, cuts, and burns.  Medical emergencies can range from minor to major incidents. First aid is emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained. Basic First Aid knowledge can help you be prepared for helping with a variety of medical emergencies, and help you assist victims while waiting for help to arrive. While these skills very good to have for everyday emergencies, they are particularly important after a disaster, because the emergency medical system will be in high demand and help may be delayed for a long time. Learning how to treat different injuries and illnesses can prepare you and the people you care about to save lives. 

Keep a First Aid Kit In Your Cars, Go BAG, and At Home

​On this page, you'll find:

• ​Common first-aid scenarios
• Build first-aid kits
• Assess the scene for hazards​

• Three Ps of first aid
• First-Aid health assessments
• PPE and hygiene​

• First Aid and CPR training
• First-Aid Pocket Guide (Red Cross)
• Video: Basic First-Aid Training 

Common first-aid scenarios

What kinds of situations might you need to render first aid?  Here are some common scenarios:

• Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock 
• Bleeding wounds
• Burns and scalds
• Choking
• Drowning

• Electric shock
• Fractures or broken bones
• Heart attack
• Insect bites or stings

Build first-aid kits

You can buy first-aid kits pre-made, but often they don’t have everything you need.  The American Red Cross has a good list to start with; you can always add additional items that cater to your family's medical needs. Consider doing the following: 

• Download the First-Aid Plan lists, and build your own kits or add to your existing kits. After reviewing the list, ask yourself what else should be added for your family? 
• Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest.
• Consider buying in bulk with friends or neighbors to share the cost. 
• Keep a kit in your vehicles, go bag, and at home. 
• Know the locations of the first-aid kits at work, school, church, and where ever you spend a lot of time. 
• Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. Check the kit regularly.

Click for lists to build first aid kits for home, car, and go bags (Source: Be 2 Weeks Ready, Oregon Emergency Management)

Click to find The American Red Cross recommendations

Assess the scene for hazards

If you don't feel comfortable providing first aid, seek assistance from others  who are more comfortable or are first-aid trained. Ask bystanders if they are medically trained or CPR certified. 
​BEFORE providing first aid, always assess the scene. Check the surroundings to make sure it is safe for you to be there. Your safety comes first. You don’t want to become another victim! What kinds of hazards to look for include: fires, downed powerlines, flooding or fast flowing water, chemical fumes, falling or flying debris, vehicles, violent people, and aggressive animals.

Three Ps of first aid

The "3 Ps" of first aid are the primary goals of any first aider when responding to a medical emergency. This framework helps responders stay calm and prioritize their actions during a crisis. ​
The 3P's goals include: 

• Preserve Life: Your highest priority is keeping the person alive. This involves immediate, life-saving actions such as:
  • Ensure the airway is clear.
  • Check for normal breathing.
  • Control severe bleeding by applying direct pressure.
  • If you are CPR trained, perform CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing.
  • Note: Your own safety is paramount; do not put yourself in danger to help.
• Prevent Deterioration: Once life-threatening issues are addressed, the focus shifts to stopping the person's condition from getting worse.  Actions include:
  • Stabilize and immobilize suspected fractures or sprains.
  • Treat for shock by keeping the person warm and lying down.
  • Dress wounds to prevent infection.
  • Monitor vital signs (breathing, pulse, and consciousness) until help arrives.
• Promote Recovery: The final goal is to assist the long-term healing process. This is often achieved through:
  • Reassure and comfort the person to reduce anxiety.
  • Provide basic pain relief, such as an ice pack for a minor injury.
  • Place an unconscious but breathing person in the recovery position.
  • Arrange for further medical treatment or professional transfer.

The Three Ps of First Aid

Preserve Life ABC: Open airways, check breathing, check circulation.

Volunteer with your local CERT or other organizations to learn more

First-Aid health assessments

Primary assessment (immediate life threats)

• Check Scene Safety. Ensure the area is safe for you and the victim before approaching.
• Check responsiveness. Tap their chest and shout, "Are you okay?" Notice if the victim responds to touch or pain. ​
• Call for help. Call 911 (or local emergency number) and get an AED, if available. During a disaster, this may not be possible. Ask for help from bystanders, if anyone has medical or CPR training. 
• Check Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABC). 
  • Airway: Tilt head back, lift chin (unless spinal injury suspected).
  • Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.
  • Circulation: Check for severe bleeding and signs like skin color. Check pulse. 
• Care for Life Threats: If you are CPR trained and if the victim is not breathing normally, start CPR. Control severe bleeding. ​

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Secondary assessment (if responsive)
​Once you deem that it is safe to provide aid, check the victim or victims to see if they are conscious and alert.  ​

• Get consent, if possible. If the victim or victims appear responsive and are breathing safely, ask for permission to help. 
• Gather information. Ask about: symptoms (what hurts?), allergies, and medications. 
• Look for medical jewelry. Check for bracelets or necklaces indicating conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, or allergies.
• Conduct a rapid whole-body check: Visually check head-to-toe for deformities, open wounds, swelling, or tenderness. ​
• Continue to provide care.  Keep the victim calm and provide care to the best of your ability until more help arrives. (This may take a while during or after a disaster.)

Check for medical jewelry

PPE and hygiene

If available, use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, eye protection, masks when providing treatment.  Always remember to wash hands thoroughly after providing aid. Water and soap is best, but in an emergency, use what you have.

Personal protective equipment

First Aid and CPR training

Click to check out the American Red Cross courses on First Aid and CPR

Find a course on Stop the Bleed at stopthebleed.org

More Resources

​First-Aid Pocket Guide, created by the Canadian Red Cross. This guide contains information on basic first aid techniques designed for use in lifesaving situations. It does not replace taking a first aid course. The information contained in this publication may change as new scientific research becomes available. It is the reader’s responsibility to stay informed of changes.  

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Basic First-Aid Training Video from GotSafety. This video covers a number of topics including: 

• The process of checking on a responsive and an unresponsive victim 
• The ABCs of First Aid: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

It's a good overview, but it does not replace taking a Basic First Aid and CPR course. 

Check out Ready Be 2 Weeks Ready, Unit 7, First-Aid Plan. This program, developed by Oregon Emergency Management program, includes free curriculum and activities for communities. For more information on the full curriculum and how to get trained, check out our Be 2 Weeks Ready webpage.