If a person is having trouble breathing, a variety of first aid techniques and procedures often prove the difference between life and death. First aid training in how to remove foreign objects from an airway to re-establish adequate breathing and procedures like CPR and the Heimlich Maneuverare often necessary for anyone working with children, the sick or elderly. The Mayo Clinic offers basic first aid instructions on what to do if you or someone else is choking or having trouble breathing.
Understanding the difference in severity and treatment options of first, second and third degree burns is a major part of basic first aid training in almost every field, as it is possible to be burned by fire, sunlight, electricity, chemicals, radiation and hot water. Basic first aid training for burns should include how to provide pain relief to affected areas, how to dress the wound and how to determe when a burn requires professional medical attention.
Basic first aid training in the treatment of cuts and lacerations should include how to stop bleeding, proper cleansing methods and how to dress different kinds of surface wounds quickly in the field. It should also cover the many types of bandages, long-term bandaging techniques and ointments typically used to treat lacerations, cuts and even small puncture wounds. Proper first aid training includes learning when to seek medical attention, including situations where bleeding continues or stitches are needed to properly close a wound.
Knowing how to identify and stabilize a broken or fractured bone are basics first aid training requirements, as all of these injuries require professional medical attention as soon as possible. While broken and fractured bones aren't usually life-threatening, they can still impede blood flow or break the skin, which can lead to other problems. Depending on the severity of the injury, splints and slings may need to be used, and most first aid training courses will touch on how to make and use these devices in the field.