TRAINEE GUIDE - Recruit Training Command - The US Navy

TRAINEE GUIDE A-950-0001
OUTLINE SHEET 5-01-1 (continued)
3. Purposes and Objectives of First Aid
a. Purposes of First Aid
(1) Save life.
(2) Prevent further injury. When assisting an injured person,
you must know what to do and what not to do.
(3) Prevent or minimize infection.
b. Primary objectives are to maintain:
(1) airway
(2) breathing
(3) circulation
4. General Rules of First Aid--Specific injuries requiring first aid
vary; but, in most cases, the general rules apply.
a. Remain calm.
b. Examine the entire body.
(1) Remove only enough clothing to determine the extent of the
injury.
(2) Ensure the person does NOT become chilled.
c. Shout “help” and send for medical help immediately.
d. Be confident and reassuring. It is important to keep the patient
as calm as possible.
e. Keep the victim lying down. The head should be level with body
lying down when the victim:
(1) Is vomiting or bleeding about the mouth. Turn head to side
to prevent aspiration (the inhalation of blood, vomit, or
water into the lungs).
(2) Has shortness of breath. Place in sitting or semi-sitting
position to make breathing easier.
(3) Is suffering from shock. Place on back with feet elevated
higher than the heart to maintain Blood volume/pressure to
the heart.
f. Prevent further injury by not moving the victim unless necessary.
g. Do NOT allow the patient to see the injury. This could increase
shock.
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