Essential First Aid: How to Look After Your Body in an Emergency

Emergencies can happen when we least expect them — a sudden fall, a deep cut, a sporting injury, or even a dental accident. Knowing a few simple first aid techniques can make all the difference in the moments before professional help arrives. In this article, we’ll walk through five essential areas of first aid: controlling bleeding, treating fractures, managing head injuries, performing basic CPR, and responding to emergency dentistry situations.

1. How to Control Bleeding

Bleeding is one of the most common first aid situations, and acting quickly can prevent shock and save a life.

Step 1: Apply direct pressure.
If someone is bleeding heavily, use a clean cloth, dressing, or even your hand (covered if possible) to press firmly on the wound. Continuous, steady pressure is the best way to slow blood flow.

Step 2: Elevate the wound.
If possible, raise the injured area above the level of the heart. This helps reduce blood flow to the area and slows bleeding.

Step 3: Keep it clean.
Once bleeding is under control, rinse the area gently with clean water to remove dirt or debris. Avoid using antiseptics directly in deep wounds — they can damage tissue.

Step 4: Bandage and monitor.
Apply a sterile dressing and keep pressure on it. If blood soaks through, don’t remove the first bandage — place another one on top. Continue to monitor for signs of shock, such as clammy skin, rapid pulse, or confusion.

If bleeding doesn’t stop within 10 minutes of firm pressure, or if the wound is large or deep, seek medical attention immediately.

2. How to Treat Fractures

Broken bones (fractures) can be painful, frightening, and sometimes hard to identify. A suspected fracture should always be treated seriously.

Recognising a fracture:

• Intense pain, especially when moving the limb
  
  

• Swelling or bruising
  
  

• Visible deformity
  
  

• Inability to move the affected area
  
  

What to do:

1. Keep the person still. Avoid moving the injured limb unnecessarily.
   
   

2. Support the fracture. Use a splint or a makeshift support (a rolled-up newspaper or stick wrapped in cloth) to keep the limb steady. Tie it gently with a bandage or cloth.
   
   

3. Apply a cold compress. Use an ice pack or cold cloth to reduce swelling and pain — wrap it in a towel, never place ice directly on skin.
   
   

4. Seek professional help. Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.
   
   

What not to do:

• Don’t try to push a bone back into place.
  
  

• Don’t move someone with a suspected spinal injury unless absolutely necessary.
  
  

Your goal is to keep the person calm and still until trained help arrives.

3. How to Deal With a Head Injury

Head injuries range from minor bumps to serious concussions or brain trauma. Even a seemingly mild knock can be dangerous, so it’s important to watch closely for warning signs.

If someone hits their head:

• Help them sit or lie down and rest.
  
  

• Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling.
  
  

• Check for cuts — if there’s bleeding, treat it as above.
  
  

Watch for signs of concussion:

• Dizziness or confusion
  
  

• Headache or blurred vision
  
  

• Nausea or vomiting
  
  

• Unusual sleepiness or irritability
  
  

• Loss of memory or consciousness
  
  

If any of these symptoms appear — or if the person loses consciousness, even briefly — seek medical help immediately. Never assume a head injury is minor.

Do not give painkillers containing aspirin, as these can increase bleeding. Always err on the side of caution and have the person checked by a medical professional.

4. How to Perform Very Basic CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most vital lifesaving skills you can learn. It keeps oxygen moving around the body until professional medical help arrives.

If you find someone unresponsive:

1. Check for responsiveness. Gently shake their shoulders and ask loudly, “Are you okay?”
   
   

2. Call for help. If there’s no response, dial emergency services (in the UK, call 999).
   
   

3. Check breathing. Tilt the head back slightly and look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
   
   

• If they are not breathing normally, start CPR.
  
  

Hands-only CPR:

• Place the heel of one hand on the centre of the chest, with your other hand on top.
  
  

• Push hard and fast — about 5–6 cm deep, at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute (roughly to the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees).
  
  

• Continue until emergency help arrives or the person starts breathing normally.
  
  

If you’re trained in full CPR, alternate 30 compressions with two rescue breaths. If not, continue with chest compressions only — it’s still highly effective.

5. How to Deal With Emergency Dentistry Situations

Dental emergencies can be distressing and painful, especially when they happen suddenly. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can make a big difference — sometimes even saving a tooth.

Common dental emergencies include:

• Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth
  
  

• Severe toothache
  
  

• Broken or chipped tooth
  
  

• Lost filling or crown
  
  

• Dental abscess (infection causing swelling and pain)
  
  

If a tooth is knocked out:

• Handle it by the crown (the white part), not the root.
  
  

• Rinse gently in milk or saline if dirty — never scrub it.
  
  

• Try to reinsert it into the socket if possible, and hold it in place by gently biting on a clean cloth.
  
  

• If this isn’t possible, store it in milk or saliva (for example, in the person’s cheek) and get to a dentist immediately.
  
  

For severe toothache or swelling:

• Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater.
  
  

• Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed (avoid aspirin directly on gums).
  
  

• Apply a cold compress to the cheek to reduce swelling.
  
  

• Seek professional emergency dentistry services as soon as possible — delaying treatment can worsen infection or damage.
  
  

Emergency dentists are trained to handle sudden dental trauma and severe pain quickly and effectively. If you’re unsure whether something counts as a dental emergency, it’s always better to call your dentist for advice. Many practices offer same-day or out-of-hours emergency dentistry appointments for exactly these situations.

Final Thoughts

Having even basic first aid knowledge empowers you to stay calm and act confidently in emergencies. Whether it’s stopping bleeding, stabilising a fracture, recognising a head injury, performing CPR, or responding to a dental crisis, your actions can make a huge difference.

Remember — first aid doesn’t replace professional medical or dental care, but it can protect someone’s health and improve their chances of recovery until experts take over. Take the time to learn these essential skills, keep a well-stocked first aid kit at home, and make sure you know where to find your nearest emergency dentistry clinic.

Your preparedness today could be the key to saving a life — or a smile — tomorrow.