The article introduces the basic knowledge of first aid and the organisations that provide first aid training.

First aid is the immediate care given to a person who has been injured or has been suddenly ill.  It includes both self-help and home care if medical assistance is not available or delayed.  First aid knowledge not only means the difference between life and death, but also helps you to determine the sequence and the priority of first-aid treatments during an emergency situation so that the greatest possible good may be accomplished for the greatest number of people.

First aid knowledge and skills promote safety awareness in the home, at work, at play, on streets and highways. Through studying first aid, a person is prepared to assist others wisely.  He is able to distinguish between what to do and what not to do.  Below are some basic steps for treating bleeding and burns examples.

Bleeding

• Position the injured person properly and keep the injured limb elevated (except for fracture victims).
• Inspect the wound, flush with distilled water, exert direct pressure by hand over a dressing, and bandage the wound.
• Do not bandage the wound too tightly that obstruct normal blood circulation to the injured limb.
• Leave the impaled objects and protruding bones in place and protect the injuredfrom further movement.  Exert direct pressure on the edge of the wound to stop bleeding.
• Recheck blood circulation of the injured limb after bandaging.

Nose Bleeding

• Sit the injured down with his head leaning forward.
• Ask the injured to breathe with his mouth, forcefully pinch the soft part below his nasal bone and apply a cold dressing to the forehead.
• Ask the injured not to swallow the blood lodged in his throat.
• Loosen his tight clothing.
• If bleeding continues after pinching the nose for 10 minutes, continue to do so for another 10 minutes.
• If bleeding still continues, send the injured to the hospital at once.

General Treatment to Burns

• Move the injured away from the heat source.
• Check the injured's breathing and pulse.
• Check the extent and depth of his burns.
• Flush the burned area with water to alleviate pain.
• Cover the wound with a sterilised dressing.
• For facial burns, use sheet or triangular bandage to cover the burnt area.
• Provide openings on the sheet or triangular bandage for eyes, nose and mouth for the injured.

• More first aid knowledge
  http://www.ams.gov.hk/eng/firstaid.htm

In case of medical emergency, please call 999 immediately.

Below are the organisations that provide first aid certificate courses recognised by the HKSAR Government, including the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Occupation Safety and Health Council and the Auxiliary Medical Service. Check out the details from their websites below.

• Hong Kong St. John Ambulance
  http://www.stjohn.org.hk/en/firstaid.shtml
• Hong Kong Red Cross
  http://www.redcross.org.hk/en/firstaid_healthtraining/firstaid_training.html
• Occupational Safety & Health Council
  https://eform.oshc.org.hk/course/eng/course/CourseDetail.asp?CouID=67
• The Auxiliary Medical Service
  http://www.ams.gov.hk/eng/faq.htm#6

The Auxiliary Medical Service (AMS) provides first aid coverage for non-profit making organisations on request. To allow sufficient time for application processing, applicants should forward their applications to AMS Headquarters at least 14 working days in advance.

• Check out AMS's first aid coverage
  http://www.ams.gov.hk/eng/service.htm#pp1