Always start by checking the area is safe, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and get further help when you need it.

For cuts and minor injuries

Plasters, wipes and finger dressings

Use these for small cuts, grazes, blisters and minor wounds.

You will usually find:

• Plasters for small cuts and grazes
• Cleansing wipes to clean around a wound
• Finger dressings for injuries to fingers
• Gloves to help reduce the risk of cross-infection

Remember: Cleanse and cover the wound. If bleeding does not stop, the wound is deep, or there may be something embedded in it, move on to a dressing from the general first aid kit and seek further help.

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For everyday first aid

General first aid kit

Use the general kit for injuries that need more than a plaster. This may include cuts with ongoing bleeding, sprains, minor burns, fainting, or someone who feels unwell.

You may find:

• Sterile dressings and bandages
• Triangular bandages
• Gloves
• Eye pads
• Foil blankets
• Scissors and tape
• A first-aid guidance leaflet

The kit supports immediate care. It does not replace calling 999 or seeking medical advice where the injury or illness is serious.

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For serious bleeding

Critical injury or bleeding-control kit

Use this kit where there is life-threatening bleeding or a serious traumatic injury. Examples can include a traumatic amputation, a deep wound with severe bleeding, or an injury involving machinery, glass or a major incident.

These kits may contain:

• Trauma dressings
• Haemostatic dressings
• Tourniquets
• Trauma shears
• Protective gloves

Call 999 immediately for catastrophic bleeding or critical injury. Use the kit only within your training and follow your organisation’s emergency procedure. Apply firm direct pressure where appropriate and do not leave the casualty alone unless you must get help.

A critical injury kit is not for ordinary cuts. Use the general kit for smaller bleeds that are not catastrophic.

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For burns and scalds

Burns kit

Use this for burns from hot liquids, hot surfaces, steam or other heat sources.

The first priority is cooling:

1. Cool the burn under cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes.
2. Remove jewellery or loose clothing near the burn if it is not stuck to the skin.
3. Cover the burn loosely with an appropriate sterile burn dressing or clean non-fluffy material.
4. Seek urgent help for serious burns.

Do not use ice, creams, butter or adhesive plasters on a burn. Do not pull off clothing that is stuck to the skin.

Call 999 or seek urgent medical advice if the burn is large, deep, chemical, electrical, affects the face, hands, feet, genitals or major joints, or if you are concerned about the casualty. The key message on the staff guide is right: cool with running water first, before using a dressing or gel.

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For eye injuries

Eye wash

Use eye wash when someone has dust, debris or a substance in their eye.

• Start flushing the eye as soon as possible.
• Hold the eyelids open gently if needed.
• Wash from the inner corner of the affected eye outwards, away from the unaffected eye.
• Continue flushing while help is arranged if the problem is not resolving.

Seek urgent medical advice after chemical exposure, a high-speed particle injury, persistent pain, changes to vision, or if something is embedded in the eye. Do not try to remove an embedded object.

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Other useful items

You may also find useful first aid items near the main kit, including:

• Disposable gloves
• Face shields for rescue breaths
• Foil blankets
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• First-aid guidance cards
• Incident-report forms

Use only what is appropriate to the casualty’s condition and your training. If you are unsure, ask another trained first aider for support or call 111 or 999.

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A simple way to decide

What you can see	Start with
Small cut, graze, blister or minor finger injury	Plasters, wipes and finger dressings
Ongoing but non-catastrophic bleeding, or a general injury	General first aid kit
Severe bleeding or traumatic injury	Critical injury or bleeding-control kit and call 999
Burn or scald	Cool running water for 20 minutes, then burns kit
Something in the eye	Eye wash

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When to escalate

Call 999 when there is severe bleeding, unconsciousness, breathing difficulty, chest pain, a serious injury, a seizure that does not stop, suspected stroke, severe allergic reaction, or any immediate threat to life.

Trust your judgement. If the casualty looks seriously unwell, their condition is worsening, or you are unsure whether it is safe to manage with first aid alone, get help early.