First Aid Basics You Can Use Right Now

When something goes wrong at home, fast and clear action matters. These are straightforward, practical first aid steps you can use right away—no jargon, no panic. I’ll cover bleeding, burns, choking, asthma attacks, and how to handle medications safely when every minute counts.

Bleeding, Wounds and Burns

For heavy bleeding, press firm, direct pressure on the wound with a clean cloth. Keep pressure until bleeding slows; don’t remove the cloth to check often—lift a corner and peek. If bleeding soaks through, add another bandage on top. If you can’t stop the bleeding in 10–15 minutes or the wound is deep, call emergency services.

For small cuts, rinse with clean water, remove visible debris, apply an antibiotic ointment if you have it, and cover with a sterile bandage. Watch for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, or pus—those are signs to see a doctor.

For burns, cool the area under running cool (not cold) water for 10–20 minutes. Do not use ice. Remove tight clothing or jewelry near the burn but don’t peel away stuck clothing. For blisters, leave skin intact and cover with a loose, sterile dressing. Seek urgent care for deep burns, burns on the face, hands, genitals, or large areas.

Choking and Breathing Problems

If someone can’t cough, speak, or breathe, act fast. For adults and children over 1 year, use abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) until the object comes out. For infants under 1 year, give back blows and chest thrusts—use the heel of your hand for back blows and two fingers for chest thrusts. If the person becomes unresponsive, start CPR and call emergency services.

If someone with asthma is struggling to breathe, help them sit upright and use their rescue inhaler immediately—short, quick puffs per their spacer or inhaler instructions. If there’s no improvement after the rescue dose, or if lips or nails turn blue, call emergency services. Night sweats and asthma flares can wake people suddenly; check inhaler technique and bedding for triggers like dust mites.

Medication safety is another part of first aid. Keep meds in their original bottles, check expiration dates, and store them away from heat and moisture. If you buy medicine online, prefer pharmacies that require a prescription and show real contact details. If a dose is missed, don’t double up unless your doctor tells you—take the next dose as scheduled.

Some common meds deserve extra caution. Acetaminophen is safe at recommended doses, but taking too much harms the liver; some research also suggests it can influence mood and thinking, so use it with care. For prescription changes or worrying side effects—dizziness, severe rash, confusion—call your doctor or pharmacist right away.

Finally, build a small first aid kit: adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, tape, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic wipes, an instant cold pack, a thermometer, and any prescribed meds. Keep emergency numbers handy and review basic skills with family members so everyone knows what to do when minutes matter.