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FIRST-AID GUIDANCE

Do you have an emergency now?

Choose the situation closest to what is happening. This is basic first-aid guidance and should not delay emergency care.

Check this firstIf someone is not breathing normally, cannot be awakened, has life-threatening bleeding or is rapidly worsening, get emergency medical help now.

Describe the emergency

Describe the emergency

If the situation is not listed, briefly describe what is happening. Do not include a patient's name or private details.

Start with these three steps

  1. 1. Safety firstMake sure the scene is safe. Check whether the person responds and is breathing normally.
  2. 2. Get help nowIf they are unresponsive, not breathing normally, bleeding heavily or rapidly worsening, seek emergency care immediately. Do not wait to fill in the form.
  3. 3. Stay and helpStay with them, choose the closest situation below, and follow safe first steps while arranging care at a health facility.

Burns and scalds

Burns should be cooled promptly and protected from further injury.

Use these steps while arranging careIf the situation is serious, seek emergency help now. Do not wait until you finish reading this guide.

! Get emergency help if

  • The burn is large/deep, on the face/genitals, or caused by electricity or chemicals.
  • There is breathing difficulty or smoke inhalation.

✓ Do now

  1. Cool the burn under clean, cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible.
  2. Remove nearby jewellery/clothing if not stuck to skin, then cover loosely with a clean non-stick material.

× Do not

  • Do not use ice, oils, butter or traditional remedies on the burn.
  • Do not pull off clothing or material stuck to burned skin.
← View all emergencies

Choose a common emergency

Mental health crisis Risk of harming yourself or another person, severe confusion, or inability to stay safe. Open guide → Severe bleeding Heavy or rapidly flowing bleeding can be life-threatening. Open guide → Difficulty breathing Severe breathlessness, chest tightness or blue/grey lips can be an emergency. Open guide → Severe chest pain New or severe chest pain, especially with sweating, nausea or breathlessness, needs urgent assessment. Open guide → Stroke signs Sudden facial droop, one-sided arm weakness or speech difficulty are key stroke warning signs. Open guide → Unconscious or unresponsive An unresponsive person needs an immediate breathing check and emergency help. Open guide → Seizure Protect the person from injury and let the seizure run its course without restraining them. Open guide → Choking Inability to speak, cough or breathe can mean the airway is severely blocked. Open guide → Burns and scalds Burns should be cooled promptly and protected from further injury. Open guide → Poisoning Poisoning may occur by swallowing, inhalation, skin or eye exposure; care depends on the substance. Open guide → Major injury / road accident Major trauma can involve bleeding, head, neck, spine or internal injuries. Open guide → Snakebite A snakebite can be an emergency even before severe symptoms begin. Open guide → Pregnancy emergency Heavy bleeding, seizures, severe pain or loss of consciousness in pregnancy are red flags. Open guide → Child emergency A child with breathing difficulty, seizure, poor responsiveness or inability to drink/feed needs urgent assessment. Open guide →

AFYA VERIFY does not provide diagnosis or ambulance services. This is general first-aid guidance and should not delay professional care.

First-aid guidance sources: WHO / ICRC · Red Cross