2020 International
first aid Guidelines
Definitions
First aid is the immediate assistance provided to an ill or injured person until professional help arrives. It is concerned not only with physical illness or injury but also with other initial care, including psychosocial support for people who are emotionally distressed due to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
First aid interventions seek to preserve life, alleviate suffering, prevent further illness or injury and promote
recovery.
First aid provider is defined as someone trained in first aid who should recognise, assess and prioritise the need for first aid. The first aid provider provides care using appropriate competencies, recognises limitations and seeks additional care when needed.
This document refers to the ill or injured person requiring first aid as the person. First aid educators should use the appropriate term according to their local contexts. This person may be described as the person in need of care, patient, victim, casualty or other terms.
Emergency refers to an incident where first aid is required. An emergency can be small or large and can happen in a private or public space.
Emergency medical services (EMS) signifies that the first aid provider should quickly access the next available higher level of care. In some places, EMS may mean an ambulance service and hospital, while in others it may mean contacting a local health worker or travelling to a field hospital. Programme designers will need to adapt the language according to the local context in which it is used.
First aid education is a programme developing behaviours, knowledge or skills in first aid procedures and techniques. This programme has defined outcomes and is provided by qualified facilitators or published physically or virtually.
First aid services may provide first aid at public events or respond to potential emergencies, among others. These services are based on agreements established between local authorities, event organisers or local communities and the organisation providing the service.
Levels of first aid provider
The levels of providers available around the world vary considerably. The continuum below describes the increasing level of training and responsibility of providers. The Guidelines support first aid, resuscitation, and education for the following levels of first aid provider.
| Level | Description | First aid training or responsibility |
Example of care Varies significantly by National Society |
| Bystander |
A bystander happens to be present during an incident that requires first aid, however, they may not be directly involved. A bystander can provide basic care and follow specific instructions from a higher level of support. |
No formal training
Contact others (first aider, EMS) to request care. |
Access emergency medical service (EMS) and request care.
Maintain direct pressure on a bleeding wound as directed. |
| First aid provider |
A first aid provider can recognise, assess, and prioritise the need for first aid, providing appropriate care. A first aid provider should provide care to their level of training. If there is not access to medical care, a first aid provider does the best they can do. |
First aid education was completed at some point, but skills are likely not used regularly or refreshed through training. Contact EMS to request care if required and provide first aid according to training. |
Do CPR on a person that does not show signs of circulation.
Apply a splint to an injured limb. |
| Designated first aider |
A designated first aider is similar to a first aid provider but also has some responsibility to act. A designated first aider is typically found in a workplace; however, first aid is not their primary responsibility. |
First aid education and typically some context-specific training; typically, skills are refreshed and retrained regularly, and they have opportunities to practise with some regularity. Contact EMS to request care if required and provide first aid according to training. Document care provided. |
Provide care for a chemical burn according to the specific Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) in the workplace.
Removal of fishhooks from an injured person’s arm. |
Other roles in providing medical care
There are other roles that provide medical care. They include:
| First responder |
A first responder has a professional responsibility to respond as a primary role of their position. First responders are often dispatched by a central organisation and are directed to the incident; they are typically the first step in a formal emergency medical service. |
| Paramedic |
A paramedic provides advanced care according to their profession in varied environments. A paramedic can often provide sufficient care for the person to return to their activities, however, a paramedic also provides transport services to other health services as required (e.g., hospital). |
| In-hospital care |
In-hospital care refers to doctors, nurses, or other professionals that provide emergency care in the hospital. Those providing in-hospital care work in a controlled environment with access to all required tools and professionals available. |
Other terms used frequently in these Guidelines
CPR Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CEBaP Centre for Evidence-Based Practice (Belgian Red Cross Centre)
ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
ILCOR International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation
The Movement The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
Explore the guidelines
Published: 15 February 2021
First aid
Explore the first aid recommendations for more than 50 common illnesses and injuries. You’ll also find techniques for first aid providers and educators on topics such as assessing the scene and good hand hygiene.
First aid education
Choose from a selection of some common first aid education contexts and modalities. There are also some education strategy essentials to provide the theory behind our education approach.
About the guidelines
Here you can find out about the process for developing these Guidelines, and access some tools to help you implement them locally.