First Aid Knowledge Base
Plain-English first aid guides for everyday Australians, organised by topic and adapted from The St John Ambulance Australia First Aid Manual 5th Edition.
In a real emergency, Call first. These guides are for learning and refresher use — not a substitute for professional medical care.
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Choking — Adult, Child and Infant
For a person who cannot cough, speak or breathe, give 5 sharp back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 chest thrusts, and alternate until the airway clears or they become unconscious.
Recovery Position
The recovery position protects the airway of an unconscious person who is breathing normally by keeping them on their side so the tongue cannot block the throat and fluids can drain.
Allergy
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Lay the person flat, give adrenaline (EpiPen) immediately, call 000, and give a second dose after 5 minutes if there is no improvement.
Mild to Moderate Allergic Reactions
For mild allergic reactions — hives, swelling of the lips or face, tingling — remove the trigger if known, give antihistamines if prescribed, and watch closely for any sign of anaphylaxis.
Bites & Stings
Jellyfish and Marine Stings
For tropical jellyfish (north of Bundaberg), flood the sting with vinegar for 30 seconds, then call 000. For bluebottle and other temperate stings, remove tentacles and immerse in hot water.
Snake Bite — Pressure Immobilisation
For any suspected snake bite in Australia, call 000 and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage from the bite site up the entire limb, then splint and keep the patient completely still.
Spider Bites
Funnel-web and mouse spider bites are treated with pressure immobilisation like a snake bite. Redback bites are treated with an ice pack — do not bandage. Seek medical aid for any concerning symptoms.
Bones & Joints
Fractures (Broken Bones)
Keep the injured limb still, control any bleeding, immobilise with a padded splint or sling, check circulation every 15 minutes, and seek medical aid. Call 000 for open fractures, large bones or signs of shock.
Sprains and Strains — RICE
Use the RICE method for sprains and strains — Rest, Ice (20 minutes every 2 hours), Compression bandage, and Elevation above heart level. Seek medical aid if pain, swelling or loss of function persist.
Breathing
Burns
Burns and Scalds
Cool any burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, remove clothing and jewellery from the area unless stuck, and cover loosely with cling wrap or a sterile non-stick dressing.
Sunburn
Move out of the sun, cool the area with cool water for 20 minutes, apply after-sun gel, drink plenty of water, and never burst blisters. Seek medical aid for severe burns or blistering on children.
Cardiac
Dental
Emergencies
Environmental
Drowning
Remove the person from the water only if safe to do so. Start CPR immediately if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally — call 000 for every drowning casualty, even if they seem to recover.
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Heat exhaustion is treated by moving to a cool place, removing clothing and sipping cool water. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency — call 000 and cool the person rapidly by any means available.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a drop in core body temperature below 35°C. Move the person to shelter, remove wet clothing, rewarm gradually with blankets and body heat, and call 000 if severe.
Medical
Dehydration
Move the person to a cool place and let them sip water or an oral rehydration solution slowly. Severe dehydration — confusion, no urine output, rapid pulse — needs an ambulance.
Diabetic Emergencies
If a person with diabetes is confused, sweaty or unwell, assume low blood sugar (hypo) and give sugary food or drink if they can swallow. Call 000 if they do not improve, lose consciousness, or seem severely dehydrated.
Fainting (Syncope)
Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness from reduced blood flow to the brain. Lay the person flat, raise their legs above heart level, and look for an underlying cause if recovery is slow.
Mental Health
Minor
Neurological
Seizures and Epilepsy
During a seizure, protect the person from injury, time it, and never restrain them or put anything in their mouth. Afterwards, place them in the recovery position and reassure them.
Stroke — The FAST Test
Use the FAST test for stroke — Face drooping, Arms weakness, Speech slurred, Time to call 000. Every minute counts; lay the person down with head slightly raised and give nothing by mouth.
Primary Survey
Resuscitation
AED — Automated External Defibrillator
An AED delivers an electric shock to restart a heart in cardiac arrest. Modern AEDs are designed for untrained bystanders — turn it on, attach the pads as shown, and follow the voice prompts.
CPR — Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is performed on anyone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Use 30 chest compressions to 2 breaths at 100–120 compressions per minute, adjusting depth and technique for adults, children and infants.
Specialised Settings
Elderly Care First Aid
First aid for older adults — falls, atypical heart attack and stroke, medication-related emergencies, choking, fragile skin and delirium. Lower thresholds for calling 000 in the elderly.
Regional and Remote First Aid
First aid in regional and remote Australia where ambulances are hours away — calling for help (000, 112, PLB, RFDS), prolonged casualty care, and the most common outback scenarios.
Workplace-Specific First Aid
First aid priorities for high-risk Australian workplaces — construction sites, hospitality kitchens, and childcare settings — with common incidents, kit requirements and WHS obligations for each.
Toxicology
Trauma
Electric Shock
Never touch the person until the power is off. Once safe, follow DRSABCD, call 000, treat burns and shock. Even a person who seems fine after electric shock should be assessed at hospital.
Eye Injuries
For something in the eye, wash out with clean water or saline. Never remove an embedded object — cover both eyes and call 000. Chemical splashes need 20 minutes of running water and an ambulance.
Head Injury and Concussion
Always suspect a spinal injury with a head injury. Lay the person down, control bleeding without direct pressure on a depressed area, and call 000 for any loss of consciousness, vomiting or confusion.
Suspected Spinal Injury
Suspect a spinal injury in any fall from height, road crash, diving incident, or unresponsive trauma patient. Do not move the person unless they are in danger; keep the head and neck steady and call 000.
Wounds & Bleeding
Source: The St John Ambulance Australia First Aid Manual 5th Edition (AFA5).