Why first aid is built to be simple, not complicated
Every course we run, whether it's a one-day Emergency First Aid at Work session or the fuller First Aid at Work qualification, is built around the same idea: a small number of well-drilled actions beat a long list of things to remember. That's not us cutting corners, it's how the NHS and Resuscitation Council UK design their own guidance. The steps below are short on purpose, because the person using them in real life is usually stressed, hasn't done this before, and needs to act in seconds rather than think through a manual.
The 3 things to remember in any emergency
- Check it's safe to help. Don't put yourself in danger reaching a casualty.
- Call 999 early if it's serious. Do this straight away, or get someone else to while you help, rather than leaving it until later.
- Do the simple thing you know. Don't freeze because you're unsure you'll get every detail perfect. Something is almost always better than nothing.
Choking, adult
Encourage them to keep coughing if they can, that's the body clearing the blockage itself. If coughing isn't working:
- Give up to 5 sharp back blows: lean them forward, support their chest with one hand, and strike firmly between the shoulder blades with the heel of your other hand. Check after each one if the blockage has cleared.
- If that hasn't worked, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts: stand behind them, arms around their waist, one fist just above the belly button, other hand on top, and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
- If they're still choking, call 999 and keep alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts until help arrives.
Severe bleeding
- Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound, ideally with a clean pad or dressing, and keep pressing.
- If something is embedded in the wound, don't remove it, press firmly around it instead.
- Raise the injured area above the level of the heart if you can, without stopping the pressure.
- Call 999 for anything more than a minor cut, and keep applying pressure until help arrives.
Burns and scalds
- Cool the burn under cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes. Start as soon as possible, it still helps even if some time has passed.
- Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burn, unless it's stuck to the skin.
- Cover loosely with cling film or a clean, non-fluffy dressing.
- Never put creams, butter or ice on a burn, and don't burst any blisters.
- Get medical help for anything larger than the casualty's hand, or on the face, hands or joints.
CPR, the hands-only version
If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, call 999 immediately (or get someone else to) and start hands-only CPR straight away.
- Kneel beside them and place the heel of one hand on the centre of their chest, other hand on top, fingers interlocked.
- Push hard and fast, 5 to 6cm deep, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute, roughly the tempo of the song "Staying Alive".
- Keep going, without stopping, until an ambulance arrives, someone else can take over, or the person starts breathing normally.
Recovery position, unconscious but breathing
If someone is unconscious but breathing normally, put them in the recovery position while you wait for help:
- Kneel beside them and place the arm nearest you at a right angle to their body.
- Bring their far arm across their chest, and hold the back of their hand against the cheek nearest you.
- With your other hand, grab their far knee and pull it up, keeping the foot flat on the ground, then pull the knee towards you to roll them onto their side.
- Tilt their head back slightly to keep the airway open, and check their breathing regularly until help arrives.
Quick reference
| Emergency | First thing to do |
|---|---|
| Choking | Encourage coughing, then 5 back blows |
| Severe bleeding | Firm direct pressure on the wound |
| Burns | Cool under running water for 20 minutes |
| Not breathing | Call 999, start hands-only CPR |
| Unconscious, breathing | Recovery position, monitor breathing |
None of this replaces proper training. Muscle memory built through practice is what turns these steps from something you've read into something you can actually do when it matters. That's the whole idea behind our courses, including working out how many trained first aiders your workplace actually needs and choosing between EFAW and FAW.
Related courses
Frequently asked questions
Do I need training to follow these steps?
No. These are the same simple steps the NHS and Resuscitation Council UK publish for anyone to use. Training helps because it builds confidence and muscle memory under pressure, but this guidance is not restricted to trained first aiders, it is meant for everyone.
What is the single most useful first aid skill for a workplace?
Calling 999 early and starting hands-only CPR without delay. Most workplace emergencies are made worse by hesitation, not by doing the wrong technique, so acting quickly with the basics matters more than getting every detail perfect.
Should I be worried about doing chest compressions wrong?
No. NHS guidance is clear that hands-only CPR from an untrained bystander is far better than no CPR at all. It is normal and acceptable for ribs to crack during effective compressions, that is not a reason to stop or hold back.
Where can my team get properly trained on this?
Our Emergency First Aid at Work and First Aid at Work courses cover all of this in person, with hands-on practice, so your team builds real confidence rather than just reading the steps once.