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First aidSouth Africa

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
South Africa

100. First aid

First aid is the immediate assistance given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill before professional medical help is available. Its purpose is to preserve life, prevent the condition from becoming worse and support recovery.

At a road accident, first aid begins with making sure the scene is safe, assessing the casualty and contacting the emergency services when necessary. Assistance should be limited to actions the helper knows how to perform safely.

First aid
First-aid training in Sagana. (Kenya)
Wikimedia.org • Cory H Jones • CC BY-SA
What is the purpose of first aid?

First aid aims to preserve life, prevent an injury or illness from becoming worse and provide appropriate immediate care until professional medical assistance becomes available.

What should you do first when giving first aid after a road accident?

First check that it is safe to approach. Assess the casualty, contact the emergency services when necessary and provide appropriate assistance within your level of knowledge and training.

Should an injured person always be moved?

No. An injured person should generally not be moved unnecessarily because movement can worsen certain injuries. Moving the casualty may be necessary when remaining in the location creates an immediate danger, such as fire or approaching traffic.

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