5 First Aid Skills That Could Save a Life

Emergencies don’t wait for perfect timing. A loved one could choke at dinner, a co-worker could collapse at work, or an accident could happen on the road. In those crucial first few minutes, knowing what to do can make all the difference.

This World First Aid Day, Fireproof reminds everyone: you don’t have to be a medical professional to save a life—you just need the right skills. Here are five essential first aid skills everyone should know:

1. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)

Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, anytime. CPR keeps blood and oxygen flowing until professional help arrives. Quick action can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival.

👉 Key tip: Push hard and fast in the center of the chest—about 100–120 compressions per minute.

2. Bleeding Control

Severe bleeding can become life-threatening within minutes. Knowing how to apply direct pressure, elevate the wound, or use a tourniquet (when trained) can prevent shock and buy precious time until help arrives.

👉 Key tip: Never remove the first bandage if it soaks through—add more layers on top.

3. Choking Response

A blocked airway is one of the most frightening emergencies, especially in children. The Heimlich maneuver or abdominal thrusts can clear the airway and restore breathing.

👉 Key tip: For infants under one year, use back blows and chest thrusts instead of abdominal thrusts.

4. Burns

From hot surfaces to kitchen accidents, burns are common injuries. Proper first aid can reduce damage and speed up healing.

👉 Key tip: Cool the burn under running cool water for at least 10 minutes—never use ice, butter, or oil. Cover loosely with a clean, non-fluffy cloth.

5. Shock Management

Shock happens when the body isn’t getting enough blood flow, often after severe injury or trauma. Signs include pale skin, rapid pulse, and confusion.

👉 Key tip: Lay the person down, elevate their legs (if no injury prevents it), keep them warm, and call emergency services immediately.

Be Prepared, Stay Fireproof

These five skills may seem simple, but they’re powerful tools in an emergency. The best way to learn them? Hands-on training.

At Fireproof, we provide CPR and first aid certification courses that give you the confidence to act when it matters most. Don’t wait until it’s too late—invest in life-saving knowledge today.

👉 Ready to learn? Contact Fireproof to get certified this September.