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Basic first aid

I can explain how to perform basic first aid.

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New
New

Basic first aid

I can explain how to perform basic first aid.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. To avoid fainting, it is better for our head to be below our heart.
  2. It is important to put anyone unconscious, but breathing, in the recovery position and check their airway.
  3. We can stem bleeding with pressure and bandages.
  4. Small wounds should be cleaned and dressed.
  5. If someone has injured their arm, it might be best to put it in a triangular sling.

Keywords

  • Faint - to lose consciousness for a short amount of time

  • Recovery position - a safe way to lay an unconscious person on their side to keep their airway open

  • Airway - a tube inside our body that carries oxygen to our lungs

  • Wound - an injury to our body that has broken the skin

  • Sling - a piece of fabric that can be tied to support an injured arm

Common misconception

Plasters are always useful.

Some wounds might not bleed very much at all, so plasters are not always useful. Other wounds might need medical treatment, such as stitches or a bandage.

Some children feel faint at descriptions of injury, pain and blood. To avoid injury during fainting, ensure children are sat down during instruction. Let them know what to do if they feel faint by putting their head between their legs or lying on the floor.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definition.
Correct Answer:disease,when germs get inside your body and make you feel sick

when germs get inside your body and make you feel sick

Correct Answer:emergency,a dangerous situation which needs immediate help

a dangerous situation which needs immediate help

Correct Answer:vaccine,a medicine that can prevent some diseases and serious illnesses

a medicine that can prevent some diseases and serious illnesses

Correct Answer:injured,when someone experiences damage to their body

when someone experiences damage to their body

Q2.
Which of these statements are true?
Prank calls to 999 are harmless.
Correct answer: Prank calls to 999 could endanger other people's lives.
Correct answer: To report an emergency, we need to know our location.
We can only call 999 if there is a fire.
Q3.
The three main emergency services include the police, fire fighters and crew.
Correct Answer: ambulance, paramedic
Q4.
Match the behaviour with whether it protects us in the sun or could cause damage.
Correct Answer:wearing suncream,protects

protects

Correct Answer:trying to get a suntan,damages

damages

Correct Answer:not wearing a hat,damages

damages

Correct Answer:wearing sunglasses,protects

protects

Correct Answer:covering our body with clothes,protects

protects

Q5.
To stay clean, we need to wash our whole body with warm soapy water to kill ...
Correct Answer: germs
Q6.
What is the name for a severe allergic reaction that can cause breathing difficulties?
Correct answer: anaphylaxis
sunburn
headache
heat stroke
stomach upset

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:faint,to lose consciousness for a short amount of time

to lose consciousness for a short amount of time

Correct Answer:airway,a tube inside our body that carries oxygen to our lungs

a tube inside our body that carries oxygen to our lungs

Correct Answer:wound,an injury to our body that has broken the skin

an injury to our body that has broken the skin

Correct Answer:sling,a piece of fabric that can be tied to support an injured arm

a piece of fabric that can be tied to support an injured arm

Q2.
If someone is unconscious, but breathing, it is important to put them in the and check their airway.
Correct Answer: recovery position
Q3.
Which of these statements are true?
Plasters are always useful.
Correct answer: Large wounds may need a bandage.
Correct answer: Some wounds don't need a plaster.
We can speed up bleeding by applying pressure.
Q4.
Which materials could be suitable for making a sling?
Correct Answer:towel,suitable

suitable

Correct Answer:a tissue,unsuitable

unsuitable

Correct Answer:triangular bandage,suitable

suitable

Correct Answer:paper,unsuitable

unsuitable

Correct Answer:a scarf,suitable

suitable

Q5.
Before dressing a wound, we should it and the surrounding skin first.
Correct Answer: clean, wash, sanitise
Q6.
If someone has symptoms that suggest that they might faint, it's important to ...
Correct answer: ask them to put their head between their knees
put more layers of clothing on them if they feel hot
Correct answer: ask them to take deep breaths
Correct answer: offer them a snack and some water
tell them to run around outside

Lesson appears in

UnitRSHE (PSHE) / Staying safe and healthy: How can I save a life?

RSHE (PSHE)

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