Complete First Aid

19/11/2025

Treating Fractures:
Sometimes it’s very easy to tell if someone has suffered a fractured bone. But sometimes it’s not. If you suspect someone of having a fracture:
• Don’t try to straighten a fractured limb.
• Use a splint or padding to stabilise the area and keep it from moving. A magazine can be used as a temporary splint for an arm or lower leg.
• Keep the area elevated, if possible.

18/11/2025

Treating Cuts and Grazes
Blood is a vital component of our bodies. When someone is bleeding, you want to prevent as much blood from leaving their body as possible. Try and find a clean cloth or bandage. Then:
• Apply gentle pressure for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Clean the wound by gently running over it. Avoid using soap on an open wound.
• Cover the wound with a bandage.

17/11/2025

Dislocated joints
A dislocated joint happens when bones are partly or completely pulled out of their normal position. Joints can dislocate when a strong force wrenches or pulls the bone into an abnormal position.
Someone with a dislocated joint may:
• complain of a severe, sickening pain
• be unable to move the joint
• have swelling and bruising around the joint and it may look shorter, bent or deformed.
What to do
• Advise the casualty to stay still. Help them to support their dislocated joint in the most comfortable position.
• Do not try to put the dislocated bone back into its socket, as this may cause further injury.
• Stop the joint from moving.
Send the casualty to hospital. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if you can’t take them yourself.

16/11/2025

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Scarlet fever in babies
Scarlet fever is an infection that causes a blotchy, pink-red rash. It’s most common in young children but can affect people of any age. It’s not usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics from your GP. Once the baby has had it, they are unlikely to get it again.
Look for:
• a sore throat
• headache
• a high temperature
• swollen neck glands.
As the fever develops they may have:

• a rash on the body
• a red face
• a white or red tongue.
What to do
• If your baby develops any of the above symptoms seek medical advice straight away.

Contact Complete First Aid to discuss what training we provide and how we can help you with learning about First Aid courses.

16/11/2025

Treatment for burns.

Run cool water over the burn for a minimum of 20 minutes (avoid icy or very cold water). Don’t break any blisters. Cling film can be used to loosely cover the wound then held in place with a stretchy bandage applied loosely around the area. This will allow swelling to occur without becoming restricted and painful. Apply burn gel or burn dressings and seek medical help if the burn is extensive.

04/11/2025

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06/08/2025

Headaches
Most headaches aren’t serious and usually settle without treatment. Some people can get them for no specific reason, but sometimes they occur following a specific cause. Some headaches can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as meningitis, stroke, or as a result of a head injury.
Possible causes:
• an illness such as flu
• dehydration
• stress or tiredness
• exposure to extremely hot or cold temperatures
• excess alcohol, or other drug use.
What to do
• If someone has a headache, help them to sit or lie down somewhere quiet, and give them a cold compress to hold against their head.
• If the casualty is an adult, you can suggest they take the recommended dose of pain killers, like paracetamol tablets. If the casualty is a child, you can give them the recommended dose of paracetamol syrup.
• Do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 16 or anyone who is known to be allergic.
Seek medical advice if the casualty:
• does not improve
• develops a severe and incapacitating pain
• has a pain accompanied by fever or vomiting?
• has a pain accompanied by loss of strength or sensation, or by impaired level of response as this could indicate early signs of a stroke
• has a pain as a result of a head injury
• has a pain accompanied by a stiff neck and sensitivity to light; this could indicate that the casualty has meningitis.

05/08/2025

Minor burns and scalds to adults
A burn can be caused by dry heat such as contact with fire, or a hot iron, or exposure to the sun. A scald can be caused by contact with wet heat, like steam or a hot cup of tea. The longer the burning goes on the more severe the injury. Your priority is to cool the burn as quickly as possible.
Look for:
• red skin and swelling
• pain in the area of the burn
• blistering may start to appear.
What to do
• Start cooling the burn or scald as quickly as possible. Hold it under cool running water for at least 20 minutes or until the pain feels better.
• If there is no water available, you could use cold milk or canned drinks.
• Remove any jewellery or clothing, unless stuck to the burn, before the area begins to swell.
• When the burn has cooled, cover the area loosely with cling film. Do not wrap the cling film tightly around the burn as the area needs space to swell.
• If the burn is on a foot or hand you could use a clean plastic bag.
• Do not break any blisters that may appear, as this may cause infection.
• Call 999 or 112 for emergency help
• Monitor the casualty. Seek medical advice.

04/08/2025

Blisters
Blisters are fluid-filled bumps that look like bubbles on the skin. They usually form when someone’s skin repeatedly rubs against something or is exposed to heat. When someone gets a blister, the part of the skin that is damaged leaks fluid that collects under the top layer of the skin, forming the blister.
What to do
• If someone has a blister, don’t burst it as this can increase the risk of infection. Wash the skin around the blister with clean water and gently pat the skin dry with a sterile gauze pad or a clean, non-fluffy cloth.
• If you cannot wash the area, try to keep it as clean as possible.
• If the blister was caused by something rubbing against the skin, cover it with a plaster but make sure the pad on the plaster is larger than the blister area. Ideally use a special blister plaster, as these have a cushioned pad that gives extra protection.

03/08/2025

Heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is caused by a loss of salt and water, usually through excessive sweating. It develops slowly and usually happens to people who aren’t used to hot, humid weather.
Look for:

• a headache, dizziness and confusion
• a loss of appetite and feeling sick
• sweat with pale, clammy skin
• cramps in the arms, legs and stomach
• a fast, weakening pulse and breathing.

What to do
• Help the casualty to a cool place, out of the sun and encourage them to lie down with their legs raised and supported.
• You then need to give them lots of water to drink.
• You could also give them an isotonic sports drink or oral rehydration solution, to help replace the salt and fluid they have lost though sweating.
• Do not mix regular cooking salt into water and give it to them to drink, this will make their condition worse.
• Monitor their level of response. Even if they recover quickly, suggest they seek medical advice.
• If their condition seems to be getting worse, call 999/112 for emergency help.

02/08/2025

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Contact Complete First Aid to discuss what training we provide and how we can help you with learning about First Aid courses.

02/08/2025

Sunburn
Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to the sun, a sunlamp or a sunbed. You can prevent getting sunburn by covering up with light clothing, staying in the shade and regularly applying high factor sunscreen.

Look for:
• reddened skin
• pain in the area of the burn
• later, blistering may appear.
What to do
• Cover the casualty’s skin with lightweight clothing. Move them out of the sun, into the shade, or indoors if possible.
• Encourage them to keep taking sips of cold water.
• You can cool the skin by sponging it gently with cold water.
• If the burn is large you could soak the sore skin in a cold bath or shower for 10 minutes.
For mild sunburn, calamine lotion or after-sun lotion may help to soothe. Advise the casualty to stay inside or in the shade.
If the sunburn is severe, for example with blistering, they should seek medical advice.
The casualty could also suffer from heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Be prepared to treat if necessary.