First aid is an essential skill that can save lives and improve the outcomes of injured or ill individuals. At the core of first aid are the 3 P’s: Preserve Life, Prevent Further Injury, and Promote Recovery. In this blog post, we’ll delve into these guiding principles and explain how they shape the way we approach first aid. To acquire the necessary skills to handle emergencies and follow the 3 P’s, consider enrolling in a first aid course with AB First Aid Training [1]. Visit www.abfirstaid.com.au or call 03 8364 8984 to book a course today.
Preserve Life
The primary goal of first aid is to preserve life. This involves assessing a casualty’s condition, prioritizing treatment, and providing appropriate care. In some cases, this may involve performing CPR or using an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restore a normal heart rhythm [2]. In other situations, maintaining an open airway, controlling bleeding, or managing shock may be critical to preserving life [3].
Prevent Further Injury
Once a casualty’s condition has been stabilized, the focus shifts to preventing further injury. This may involve moving the casualty to a safer location or immobilizing injured limbs to prevent additional harm [4]. In some cases, first aid providers may need to protect the casualty from potential hazards, such as traffic, fire, or toxic substances. Ensuring the safety of both the casualty and the first aider is of utmost importance [5].
Promote Recovery
The final goal of first aid is to promote the casualty’s recovery. This may involve providing ongoing care, monitoring the casualty’s condition, and comforting them until professional help arrives [6]. First aiders may also need to provide information about the casualty’s condition, medical history, and any treatments administered to emergency medical personnel to ensure a smooth transition of care [7].
Understanding and applying the 3 P’s of first aid – Preserve Life, Prevent Further Injury, and Promote Recovery – can make all the difference in an emergency situation. To learn these principles and acquire the skills necessary to save lives, consider enrolling in a first aid course with AB First Aid Training [1]. To book a course, visit www.abfirstaid.com.au or call 03 8364 8984.
Please note that regular First Aid and CPR Training is the best way to make sure that you’re prepare in the case of an emergency. Book a course with us
Footnotes and Sources:
[1] AB First Aid Training. (n.d.). AB First Aid Training. Retrieved from https://www.abfirstaid.com.au
[2] Australian Resuscitation Council. (2021). Guidelines. Retrieved from https://resus.org.au/guidelines/
[3] Better Health Channel. (2021). First aid basics and DRSABCD. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/first-aid-basics-and-drsabcd
[4] Safe Work Australia. (n.d.). First aid in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/first-aid
[5] Better Health Channel. (2021). First aid – dealing with an emergency. Retrieved from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/first-aid-dealing-with-an-emergency
[6] Australian Red Cross. (n.d.). First Aid Courses. Retrieved from https://www.redcross.org.au/first-aid/first-aid-courses
[7] Royal Life Saving Society Australia. (n.d.). First Aid & Emergency Care Training Courses. Retrieved from https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/training/first-
