What is the primary purpose of first aid?

The primary purpose of first aid is to provide immediate care to an injured or ill person until professional medical help arrives. This initial response is crucial in managing injuries or medical emergencies effectively, as timely first aid can significantly improve outcomes for the patient. It involves assessing the situation, ensuring the safety of both the responder and the victim, and applying appropriate techniques such as controlling bleeding, performing CPR, or treating shock.

While diagnosing medical conditions accurately can be beneficial in a more advanced medical setting, that task is beyond the scope of first aid training and practice, which focuses on immediate care rather than diagnosis. Similarly, while ensuring the patient is transported to the hospital is often necessary, the first aid responder's immediate priority is to stabilize the individual until trained professionals take over. Making a patient comfortable is also important, but it typically falls within the context of providing initial care rather than the primary goal of first aid itself. Thus, the focus is on delivering immediate assistance to manage potential life-threatening situations promptly.