Health: First Aid Decision-Making Basics
Practice safe choices in common first aid situations
Health: First Aid Decision-Making Basics
Practice safe choices in common first aid situations
Health - Grade 6-8
- 1
You see a student fall in the hallway. They are awake, but they look scared and say their ankle hurts. What are the first two things you should do before trying to help?
Start with safety for yourself and the injured person.
You should first check that the scene is safe and then get help from a trusted adult, such as a teacher or school nurse. You should not move the student unless there is immediate danger. - 2
A classmate cuts their finger on a sharp edge during a project. The cut is bleeding slowly. What basic first aid steps should be taken?
The classmate should tell an adult, wash the cut with clean water if possible, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a bandage, and cover the cut. Anyone helping should avoid direct contact with blood and wash their hands afterward. - 3
Explain why it is important to check whether a scene is safe before giving first aid.
Think about what could happen if the helper gets hurt.
It is important to check the scene because you could become injured too if there is danger such as traffic, broken glass, electricity, fire, or fighting. A safe helper is better able to get help and support the injured person. - 4
A friend is having trouble breathing after eating a snack. They cannot speak clearly and are clutching their throat. What should you do?
Breathing problems should always be treated as serious.
You should get an adult immediately and call emergency services if needed. Trouble breathing can be life-threatening, so this is an emergency that requires trained help right away. - 5
Sort these situations into emergency or non-emergency: a small paper cut, an unconscious person, a mild headache, severe chest pain, a scraped knee, and a person who is choking.
An unconscious person, severe chest pain, and a person who is choking are emergencies. A small paper cut, a mild headache, and a scraped knee are usually non-emergencies, but an adult should still be told if symptoms worsen or the person is worried. - 6
A teammate gets hit in the head by a ball. They say they feel dizzy and want to keep playing. What is the safest decision?
Head injuries can be serious even if the person wants to continue.
The safest decision is to stop the teammate from playing and tell a coach, teacher, or nurse right away. Dizziness after a head hit could be a sign of a concussion, and the student should be checked by an adult. - 7
What information should you be ready to give if you call emergency services?
You should be ready to give the location, what happened, how many people are hurt, the person's condition, and any dangers nearby. You should stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you it is okay to hang up. - 8
A student spills a chemical in science class and gets some on their skin. What should you do first?
In a lab, the teacher and safety directions are part of first aid.
You should alert the teacher immediately and follow the classroom safety plan. The student may need to rinse the skin with water as directed by the teacher or safety instructions, and no one should touch the chemical with bare hands. - 9
A person faints in the cafeteria. They are not responding when you talk to them. What should you do?
You should call for an adult immediately and have someone contact emergency services if the person does not respond. You should not shake them, give them food or drink, or leave them alone. - 10
Why should you ask for permission before giving first aid to someone who is awake and able to respond?
Permission is also called consent.
You should ask permission because the person has the right to decide whether they want help. Asking also helps you learn what hurts and shows respect, while still getting an adult if the situation is serious. - 11
A student has a nosebleed during class. List safe basic steps they can take while an adult is notified.
The student should sit upright, lean slightly forward, and gently pinch the soft part of the nose with a tissue or clean cloth. They should not tilt their head back because blood could go down the throat. - 12
During recess, you find a student with a scraped knee and dirt on the skin. The student is calm and can walk. What first aid decision makes sense?
Small scrapes usually need cleaning, covering, and adult awareness.
The student should tell an adult, clean the scrape with water if available, and cover it with a clean bandage. Because the student is calm and can walk, this is usually not an emergency, but it still needs basic care. - 13
Choose the safest response: Your friend dares you to move an injured student who fell from playground equipment. The student says their neck hurts. Explain your choice.
The safest response is not to move the student and to get an adult or call emergency services right away. Neck pain after a fall could mean a serious injury, and moving the person could make it worse. - 14
Look at this decision order: Check the scene, check the person, call for help, care until help arrives. Explain what each step means in your own words.
Use one sentence for each step.
Check the scene means make sure the area is safe. Check the person means see if they are awake, breathing, bleeding, or in pain. Call for help means get an adult or emergency services. Care until help arrives means stay calm, follow directions, and do only safe basic first aid. - 15
Name three things you should not do when you are trying to help in a first aid situation.
You should not put yourself in danger, move a seriously injured person unless there is immediate danger, or give food, drink, or medicine unless a trusted adult or trained professional tells you to. These choices help prevent making the situation worse.