CPR, AED, and First Aid Training
First Aid 101 and Certification Basics
First aid is the immediate care given to someone who is injured or suddenly becomes ill before professional help is available. It includes recognizing an emergency, getting help, and providing care within your training. First aid may be needed at home, at work, during recreation, or anywhere an injury or illness occurs.
Learning first aid helps you prepare for situations such as bleeding, burns and sudden illness. A well-chosen first aid kit supports that response, but supplies do not replace training or an emergency plan.
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What To Do First In An Emergency
Step 1
Check that it is safe to approach. Look for hazards such as traffic, electricity, fire or chemicals. Do not become another injured person.
Step 2
Check the person’s responsiveness and breathing. Look for obvious life-threatening problems, such as severe bleeding.
Step 3
Call 911 for a life-threatening emergency. If someone else is nearby, ask them to call and bring needed equipment while you stay with the person.
Step 4
Provide care within your training and follow the dispatcher’s instructions. Use available protective equipment when appropriate.
Step 5
Stay with the person when it is safe to do so. Watch for changes and share what is happening with emergency responders.
When should you call 911?
Call 911 for signs of a life-threatening emergency, such as unresponsiveness, absent or abnormal breathing, severe breathing difficulty, uncontrolled severe bleeding, suspected heart attack or stroke, or a serious injury. These are examples, not a complete list. If you think someone’s life may be at risk, call for emergency help.
Tell the dispatcher your location and what you can see. Answer the questions and follow the instructions. An unresponsive person who is not breathing normally may need CPR and an AED.
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What do you learn in first aid training?
First aid training teaches a practical approach to assessing an emergency and caring for someone until professional help arrives. Depending on the course, topics may include:
- Scene safety, protective equipment and emergency activation.
- Bleeding, wounds, burns and injuries to muscles, bones or joints.
- Recognizing signs of serious illness and getting help quickly.
- Environmental emergencies, including heat-related and cold-related illness.
- Using first aid supplies and communicating with emergency responders.
CPR and AED skills address cardiac arrest and may be included in a combined course. Choose the course that covers the skills and age groups relevant to your home, workplace or caregiving role.
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What belongs in a first aid kit
A first aid kit should match the people, activities and hazards in its setting. Common supply categories include:
- Disposable protective gloves and other appropriate protective equipment.
- Sterile dressings, gauze and absorbent compresses.
- Adhesive bandages, roller bandages and adhesive tape.
- Items for cleaning minor wounds, appropriate to the setting.
- Scissors, tweezers and a first aid reference.
- Additional supplies selected for the hazards and the training of responders.
This is a general planning list, not a universal workplace minimum. Keep supplies easy to find, replace used or expired items, and check the kit regularly. Follow storage instructions so heat, moisture or damaged packaging do not make supplies unusable.
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Preparing for first aid at work
Workplace preparation includes trained responders, accessible supplies and a clear way to contact emergency services. Employees should know where kits and AEDs are located, how to report an emergency and how to guide responders to the correct entrance.
Choose supplies and training based on workplace hazards and applicable requirements. A purchased kit does not, by itself, establish compliance. Assign responsibility for inspections and restocking, and review the plan when operations, locations or staffing change.
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How to get first aid certified
Choose an HSI first aid course that meets your needs and any employer or licensing requirements. Confirm whether you need first aid alone or a combined first aid, CPR and AED course. Complete the required learning and skills evaluation to earn the applicable certification.
HSI offers classroom, blended learning and Remote Skills Verification options for eligible courses. Blended learning combines online lessons with an instructor-led, in-person skills session. Ask the training center which formats are available for your chosen course.
First aid frequently asked questions
First aid covers initial care for injuries and sudden illness. CPR is a specific emergency response for cardiac arrest. First aid, CPR and AED skills can be taught together in a combined course.
No. A kit provides supplies. Training helps you recognize an emergency, choose appropriate actions and practice using those supplies. Both should be part of your preparation.
Online learning can be one part of a blended certification course. The second portion requires a hands-on skills assessment in front of an instructor.
HSI First Aid | CPR AED certification is valid for two years. Check the expiration date on your card and any requirements for your job or license. Refresher practice between courses helps keep skills familiar.
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Prepare for injuries and sudden illness with first aid training that fits your responsibilities. Explore HSI courses for individuals or workplace teams, including options that combine first aid, CPR and AED skills.
This guide is for general education and does not replace practical training. In an emergency, call 911 and follow the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
