BASIC FIRST AID & CPR CERTIFICATION
Course 3: Treating Cuts, Bleeding, Burns, Fractures & Common Injuries
Estimated Reading Time: 25–30 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Mandatory for All Aron Helps Workers
Important: This course provides basic first aid guidance only. Always seek professional medical attention for serious injuries or if you are unsure about the severity of an injury.
Introduction
Everyday accidents can happen at home, at work, or while caring for children, elderly people, or individuals with disabilities.
A child may cut themselves while playing, someone may spill hot water on their skin, an elderly person may fall and fracture a bone, or a cook may suffer a knife injury.
Knowing how to respond calmly and correctly can reduce pain, prevent complications, and even save a life.
In this course, you will learn how to safely manage common injuries until professional medical help is available.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Treat minor cuts and wounds.
- Respond to severe bleeding.
- Provide first aid for burns and scalds.
- Help someone with a suspected fracture or sprain.
- Manage nosebleeds.
- Respond to head and eye injuries.
- Apply simple bandages safely.
Lesson 1: Cuts and Grazes
Minor cuts and scrapes are among the most common injuries.
Signs
- Small amount of bleeding.
- Broken skin.
- Mild pain.
First Aid Steps
✔ Wash your hands.
✔ If available, wear disposable gloves.
✔ Rinse the wound gently with clean running water.
✔ Remove visible dirt carefully.
✔ Pat the surrounding skin dry.
✔ Cover the wound with a clean sterile dressing or plaster.
Observe the wound for signs of infection over the following days.
Lesson 2: Severe Bleeding
Heavy bleeding is a medical emergency.
Signs
- Blood flowing rapidly.
- Blood soaking through clothing or bandages.
- Pale skin.
- Weakness.
- Dizziness.
- Confusion.
First Aid Steps
✔ Call emergency services immediately.
✔ Apply firm, direct pressure to the wound using a clean dressing or cloth.
✔ If blood soaks through, place another dressing on top—do not remove the first one.
✔ Keep pressure on the wound until help arrives.
If possible and it does not cause additional pain, help the injured person remain still and comfortable.
Lesson 3: Nosebleeds
Nosebleeds are common in both children and adults.
First Aid Steps
✔ Sit the person upright.
✔ Ask them to lean slightly forward.
✔ Pinch the soft part of the nose continuously for about 10–15 minutes.
✔ Encourage them to breathe through their mouth.
Do NOT
❌ Tilt the head backwards.
❌ Pack the nose with tissue or cotton unless advised by a healthcare professional.
Seek medical attention if:
- Bleeding continues after around 20 minutes.
- The bleeding follows a serious injury.
- The person becomes unwell.
Lesson 4: Burns and Scalds
Burns may be caused by:
- Fire.
- Hot liquids.
- Steam.
- Hot oil.
- Electricity.
- Chemicals.
First Aid Steps
✔ Remove the person from the source of the burn if it is safe.
✔ Cool the burn immediately with cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
✔ Remove jewellery or tight clothing near the burn before swelling develops, if it is not stuck to the skin.
✔ Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing or clean plastic wrap (cling film) if appropriate.
Do NOT
❌ Apply butter.
❌ Apply toothpaste.
❌ Apply cooking oil.
❌ Break blisters.
❌ Apply ice directly to the burn.
Seek urgent medical attention for:
- Large burns.
- Burns involving the face, hands, feet, joints, or genitals.
- Electrical burns.
- Chemical burns.
- Burns causing difficulty breathing.
Lesson 5: Fractures (Broken Bones)
A fracture is a broken bone.
Signs
- Severe pain.
- Swelling.
- Bruising.
- Deformity.
- Difficulty moving the limb.
First Aid Steps
✔ Keep the injured area as still as possible.
✔ Support the injured limb in the position found.
✔ Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth to help reduce swelling if appropriate.
✔ Call emergency services or arrange urgent medical assessment.
Do NOT
❌ Attempt to straighten the limb.
❌ Push bones back into place.
Lesson 6: Sprains and Strains
Sprains affect ligaments.
Strains affect muscles or tendons.
Common causes include:
- Slips.
- Twisting an ankle.
- Sports injuries.
- Falls.
Basic Care (RICE)
R – Rest
Avoid using the injured area.
I – Ice
Apply a wrapped ice pack for short periods (never directly on the skin).
C – Compression
Use an elastic bandage if trained and appropriate.
E – Elevation
Raise the injured limb above heart level if possible.
Seek medical advice if severe pain or inability to bear weight continues.
Lesson 7: Head Injuries
A head injury should always be taken seriously.
Warning Signs
- Loss of consciousness.
- Repeated vomiting.
- Severe headache.
- Confusion.
- Drowsiness.
- Seizures.
- Bleeding from the ears or nose after a head injury.
First Aid
✔ Keep the person still.
✔ Monitor them closely.
✔ Call emergency services immediately if serious symptoms are present.
Do not allow someone with a suspected serious head injury to return to normal activities until they have been medically assessed.
Lesson 8: Eye Injuries
Eye injuries require careful handling.
If dust or small particles enter the eye:
✔ Encourage blinking.
✔ Rinse gently with clean water if appropriate.
If chemicals enter the eye:
✔ Flush the eye immediately with clean running water for at least 20 minutes.
✔ Seek urgent medical attention.
If an object is embedded in the eye:
Do NOT
❌ Remove it.
❌ Rub the eye.
Seek emergency medical care immediately.
Lesson 9: Safe Bandaging
Bandages help:
- Protect wounds.
- Control bleeding.
- Support injured limbs.
When applying a bandage:
✔ Ensure it is secure but not too tight.
✔ Check fingers or toes beyond the bandage remain warm and pink.
Loosen the bandage if:
- Fingers become blue.
- Numbness develops.
- Swelling increases significantly.
Lesson 10: Preventing Infection
Good hygiene reduces infection.
Always:
✔ Wash your hands.
✔ Wear gloves if available.
✔ Use clean dressings.
✔ Dispose of used dressings safely.
Watch for signs of infection:
- Increased redness.
- Swelling.
- Warmth.
- Pus.
- Fever.
Advise medical assessment if infection is suspected.
Real-Life Scenario
Mary works as a home cook.
While preparing vegetables, she accidentally cuts her hand with a kitchen knife.
She remains calm.
She washes the wound with clean water, applies firm pressure until the bleeding stops, covers it with a sterile dressing, and informs her employer.
Because the cut is deep and continues bleeding, she visits a medical clinic for further treatment.
Her prompt first aid reduces the risk of infection and further blood loss.
Injury Response Checklist
For any injury:
✅ Stay calm.
✅ Ensure the area is safe.
✅ Wear gloves if available.
✅ Assess the injury.
✅ Give appropriate first aid.
✅ Seek medical help when necessary.
✅ Record the incident.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
❌ Applying toothpaste or butter to burns.
❌ Removing blood-soaked dressings instead of adding more on top.
❌ Tilting the head backwards during a nosebleed.
❌ Trying to straighten broken bones.
❌ Removing objects embedded in the eye.
❌ Ignoring signs of infection.
❌ Failing to seek medical help when an injury is serious.
Summary
Most injuries can be managed safely with calm thinking and correct first aid. Knowing how to control bleeding, cool burns, protect fractures, and prevent infection helps reduce complications until professional healthcare is available.
Remember:
Simple first aid given correctly is often far more effective than complicated treatment given incorrectly.
Knowledge Check
1. For a severe bleed, the first priority is to:
A. Wash the wound for several minutes.
B. Apply firm direct pressure and call for emergency help.
C. Cover it with tissue paper.
D. Remove any blood-soaked dressing repeatedly.
Answer: B
2. A burn should be cooled with:
A. Ice.
B. Butter.
C. Cool running water for at least 20 minutes.
D. Toothpaste.
Answer: C
3. During a nosebleed, the person should:
A. Lean backwards.
B. Lie flat.
C. Sit upright and lean slightly forward while pinching the soft part of the nose.
D. Blow their nose repeatedly.
Answer: C
4. If you suspect a broken bone, you should:
A. Straighten it immediately.
B. Keep it still and seek medical attention.
C. Massage the injured area.
D. Ask the person to walk on it.
Answer: B
5. Which is a sign that a wound may be infected?
A. Reduced redness.
B. Pus and increasing swelling.
C. Healing skin.
D. Mild itching only.
Answer: B
Practical Assignment
While cleaning a client’s kitchen, you witness three separate incidents:
- The employer accidentally cuts their hand while slicing vegetables.
- A child spills hot tea on their arm.
- An elderly client slips, complains of severe pain in their ankle, and cannot stand.
For each situation, explain:
- The immediate first aid you would provide.
- What you would avoid doing.
- When you would seek professional medical help.
Congratulations!
You have completed Basic First Aid & CPR – Course 3: Treating Cuts, Bleeding, Burns, Fractures & Common Injuries.
In Course 4, you will learn how to recognise and respond to medical emergencies, including:
- Heart attacks.
- Stroke (using the FAST method).
- Asthma attacks.
- Diabetic emergencies.
- Seizures.
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis.
- Poisoning.
- Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration.
Recommended YouTube Videos
1. St John Ambulance – Wounds, Burns & Bleeding
https://www.youtube.com/@stjohnambulance
2. British Red Cross – Burns and Bleeding First Aid
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=British+Red+Cross+burns+bleeding+first+aid
3. American Red Cross – First Aid Skills
https://www.youtube.com/@americanredcross
4. Mayo Clinic – Burn Care Basics
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mayo+Clinic+burn+first+aid
5. NHS – Head Injuries and Wound Care
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=NHS+head+injury+first+aid
Aron Helps Professional Tip
Most accidents in homes happen in the kitchen, bathroom, or on stairways. As an Aron Helps worker, prevention is just as important as treatment. Keep floors dry, store sharp objects safely, supervise children around hot liquids, and report hazards immediately. The safest emergency is the one that never happens.
