What is the primary purpose of first aid?

The primary purpose of first aid is to provide emergency care before medical help arrives. First aid serves as an immediate response to injuries or medical emergencies, ensuring that the individual receives basic treatment that can stabilize their condition, prevent further injury or complications, and maintain life until professional medical assistance is available. This includes actions like controlling bleeding, managing shock, performing CPR, and addressing other urgent situations in a timely manner.

While healing injuries completely is an important aspect of medical care, first aid is not intended to serve as a definitive treatment. Additionally, diagnosing medical conditions generally requires specialized training and equipment that goes beyond the scope of first aid. Managing long-term health issues involves ongoing medical treatment and support that cannot be adequately addressed through first aid measures alone. Therefore, the focus of first aid is to act swiftly and effectively in acute situations, making it essential in emergencies.