When something goes wrong, the first few minutes matter most. Knowing basic first aid can keep someone safe, stable, and alive until professional help arrives.

Whether you’re at home, in the office, or taking part in a YEG Thrive Community Sweat, these five first aid treatments are essential for everyone to know.

Always call 9-1-1 for emergencies in Canada.
If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is available, send someone to get it immediately. Most gyms, offices, and community spaces in Edmonton have one nearby.

1. Cardiac Arrest: Hands-Only CPR + AED

If a person collapses and is unresponsive and not breathing normally, assume cardiac arrest.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Check: Tap and shout. If no response and no normal breathing, call 9-1-1 (on speaker if possible).
  2. Send for an AED. Point to someone and say: “You—get an AED!”
  3. Start CPR:
    • Place your hands in the centre of the chest.
    • Push hard and fast (100–120 times per minute).
    • Let the chest rise fully after each push.
  4. When the AED arrives:
    • Turn it on and follow the voice prompts.
    • Attach pads as shown, stand clear during shock delivery.
    • Resume compressions immediately after.

YEG Thrive Tip: Hands-only CPR (no rescue breaths) is highly effective for adults. Don’t hesitate — doing something is always better than doing nothing.

2. Severe Choking: Back Blows + Abdominal Thrusts

If a person can’t breathe, speak, or cough, act fast.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Ask: “Are you choking?”
  2. Deliver 5 back blows:
    • Support their chest with one hand.
    • Bend them forward slightly.
    • Hit firmly between the shoulder blades.
  3. If object still lodged:
    • Do 5 abdominal thrusts.
    • Make a fist just above their belly button, grasp with the other hand, and pull inward and upward sharply.
  4. Alternate 5 back blows and 5 thrusts until the object comes out or they become unresponsive.
  5. If they collapse:
    • Call 9-1-1 and start CPR. Check the mouth after each cycle for visible obstructions.

Pro Tip: If you’re choking alone, call 9-1-1 on speaker, then perform self-thrusts against a firm surface like a chair back.

3. Severe Bleeding: Apply Direct Pressure

Uncontrolled bleeding can be life-threatening. Your first priority: apply firm, continuous pressure.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Call 9-1-1 for heavy or spurting bleeding.
  2. Expose the wound (remove clothing if necessary).
  3. Apply pressure:
    • Use a clean cloth or gauze.
    • Press down hard with both hands — don’t lift to “check.”
  4. Add more layers if soaked. Do not remove the first one.
  5. If bleeding won’t stop:
    • Apply a tourniquet 2–3 inches above the wound (not over a joint).
    • Tighten until bleeding stops and note the time.

YEG Thrive Tip: Gloves are ideal, but if you don’t have any, still use your hands. Pressure saves lives.

4. Burns: Cool the Burn, Not the Person

From hot pans to campfires, burns happen fast. Proper early care reduces severity and pain.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Stop the source. Turn off heat, move the person away from danger.
  2. Cool the burn:
    • Use cool (not cold) running water for 10–20 minutes.
    • Never use ice — it can damage skin further.
  3. Remove tight items like jewelry before swelling starts.
  4. Cover loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing or cloth.
  5. Seek medical attention if the burn is larger than the palm, deep, or on the face, hands, or genitals.

Pro Tip: If clothing sticks, don’t pull it off. Cool the area over top and wait for medical help.

5. Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis): Use Epinephrine Immediately

Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly after eating certain foods, being stung, or taking medication.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Use the EpiPen immediately.
    • “Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh.”
    • Inject into the outer mid-thigh, through clothing if necessary.
  2. Call 9-1-1 right away.
  3. Have them lie down with legs elevated (unless breathing is easier upright).
  4. Give a second dose if symptoms persist after 5 minutes and another injector is available.
  5. Monitor breathing and prepare for CPR if they become unresponsive.

YEG Thrive Tip: Those with allergies should carry two auto-injectors and inform friends or coworkers where they’re kept. Seconds matter.

Quick First Aid FAQs

Q: Can I use ice on a burn?
No. Use cool running water for 10–20 minutes — never ice.

Q: What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
A heart attack is a blockage; cardiac arrest means the heart stops. If someone collapses and isn’t breathing, start CPR and use an AED immediately.

Q: How deep should compressions be during CPR?
About 2 inches (5 cm) for adults. Push hard and fast at 100–120 per minute (think “Stayin’ Alive” rhythm).

Q: Can antihistamines replace an EpiPen?
No. Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis. Use it first, then call 9-1-1.

Bonus: Be Prepared

Even the best instincts work better with training. Sign up for a certified Canadian Red Cross, Heart & Stroke Foundation, or St. John Ambulance first aid course in Edmonton.

Keep first aid kits in your:

  • Home and car
  • Gym bag or hiking pack
  • Workplace or studio

You never know when you’ll need it — or when you’ll save a life.

Final Thoughts

First aid isn’t just for medical professionals — it’s for everyone. The actions you take in those first critical moments can mean the difference between life and death.

Remember this simple sequence:

Call 9-1-1 → Start CPR → Use AED → Stop Bleeding → Cool Burns → Give Epinephrine.

Stay calm, act fast, and be prepared. Because when you know what to do, you don’t just save lives — you help our whole community Thrive.

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