First aid training is organized into three tiers. Start at the foundation — CPR, Heimlich, and AED — which can be completed in an afternoon and require no medical background. Then build toward advanced skills as your commitment and resources allow.
Foundation
CPR, Heimlich Maneuver & AED
These three skills represent the most critical life-saving interventions a layperson can perform. They require no equipment beyond your hands (and an AED, which is now widely available in public places). A certified course covers all of these in a half-day session. Re-certify every 2 years.
🫀 CPR — Infant
Two-finger chest compressions with rescue breaths. Rate: 100–120/min. Compression depth: 1.5 inches. Critical for respiratory emergencies in babies.
🫀 CPR — Child (1–8 years)
One or two-hand compressions. Rate: 100–120/min. Depth: 2 inches. 30 compressions to 2 breaths for a single rescuer.
🫀 CPR — Adult
Two-hand compressions on center of chest. Rate: 100–120/min. Depth: 2–2.4 inches. Push hard and fast. Minimize interruptions. Rotate rescuers every 2 minutes.
🫀 CPR — Pregnant Person
Standard adult CPR with patient tilted slightly left (place wedge or rolled blanket under right hip). This displaces the uterus from the inferior vena cava.
🫀 CPR — Disabled/Immobile Person
Same as adult CPR. If wheelchair-bound, keep in chair only if you cannot safely lower them; compress on the sternum with the chair reclined if possible.
🤲 Heimlich — Adult & Child
5 back blows + 5 abdominal thrusts (repeat). Position hands 1–2 inches above the navel. Thrust sharply upward and inward. Do not perform on infants.
🤲 Heimlich — Infant
Face-down back blows (5×) + face-up chest thrusts (5×) alternating. Never perform abdominal thrusts on a baby under 1 year.
⚡ AED Use
Turn on → attach pads (chest + under left arm) → clear everyone → deliver shock if advised → immediately resume CPR. AEDs guide you with voice prompts — do not hesitate to use one.
Level 1
Basic First Aid
Basic first aid covers the most common injuries and medical emergencies you will encounter. A standard Red Cross First Aid course covers most of the conditions below. Plan for ~8 hours of initial training. Re-certify or refresh every 2 years.
Conditions Covered
- Fractures and dislocations
- Sprains and strains
- Hypothermia and frostbite
- Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- Minor and major burns (1st, 2nd, 3rd degree)
- Snakebite management
- Anaphylaxis and EpiPen use
- Shock recognition and treatment
- Bleeding control (direct pressure and tourniquets)
- Wound cleaning and dressing
- Bandaging techniques (roller, triangular, figure-8)
- Improvised splinting
- Patient transport (drag and carry techniques)
- Drowning recovery and positioning
- Diabetic emergencies (hyperglycemia / hypoglycemia)
- Seizure management
- Fainting and loss of consciousness
- Eye injuries and foreign body removal
- Ear and nose injuries
- Dental emergencies (knocked-out tooth, abscess)
- Blisters, abrasions, and minor lacerations
- Insect stings and embedded ticks
- Poisoning (ingested, inhaled, contact)
- Carbon monoxide exposure
- Nosebleeds
- Chilblain and windburn
- Improvised stretcher construction
- Basic bowline knot (for rescue situations)
- The 5 warning signs of a heart attack
- The FAST acronym for stroke recognition
Level 2+
Advanced First Aid Curriculum
Advanced first aid prepares you for situations where professional medical care is unavailable or significantly delayed — such as a large-scale disaster, extended grid-down scenario, or wilderness emergency. This level requires dedicated training through programs such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR), EMT basics, or Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). Plan for 40+ hours of instruction.
🩸 Triage, Trauma & Shock
START triage system · traumatic shock pathophysiology · permissive hypotension · fluid resuscitation · tourniquet placement and timing · junctional hemorrhage control (groin, armpit, neck).
🧠 Head & Spinal Injuries
Traumatic brain injury assessment · GCS scoring · spinal precautions and cervical immobilization · increasing intracranial pressure signs · concussion management · eye trauma.
🫁 Chest & Lung Injuries
Tension pneumothorax recognition and needle decompression · open chest wound and chest seal application · hemothorax management · rib fracture stabilization · flail chest · emergency cricothyrotomy (surgical airway).
🫃 Abdominal & Pelvic Injuries
Evisceration management (saline-moist dressing) · internal bleeding signs · pelvic binding · impaled object management (stabilize, do not remove) · ectopic pregnancy recognition.
☠️ Toxicology & Poisoning
Common poison identification · organophosphate poisoning (SLUDGE mnemonic) · opioid overdose and naloxone (Narcan) administration · envenomation management · carbon monoxide poisoning treatment.
❤️ Cardiovascular Emergencies
Advanced cardiac rhythms · manual defibrillation technique · AED maintenance · post-cardiac arrest care · acute coronary syndrome management in the field.
🦠 Extended Care & Infection Control
Wound infection recognition and treatment · antibiotic selection · improvised wound irrigation · fever management · patient monitoring over 24–72 hours · hygiene in austere environments.
🤰 Obstetric Emergencies
Emergency childbirth delivery · prolapsed cord management · postpartum hemorrhage control · preeclampsia and eclampsia recognition.
Training Resources
American Red Cross
Offers CPR/AED, First Aid, and Wilderness First Aid courses in-person and online. The most widely recognized certification in the US.
Red Cross Classes →American Heart Association
Certifications in CPR, ACLS, BLS, and PALS. The standard for healthcare provider certification and widely accepted for lay responders.
AHA Courses →Wilderness First Responder
NOLS and SOLO offer intensive WFR programs — the gold standard for extended field medicine when EMS response will be significantly delayed.
NOLS Wilderness Med →