First aid represents the initial response in a chain of emergency medical care. It involves simple, immediate interventions provided to a person in need at the site of an incident or injury—before professional medical assistance becomes available. These vital skills can make a critical difference, potentially saving lives, minimizing injury severity, and improving recovery outcomes.
First aid knowledge is not exclusive to healthcare workers; it is a societal responsibility. Anyone can be faced with a situation involving choking, burns, wounds, fractures, seizures, cardiac arrest, or fainting—at home, at work, or in public. A well-informed bystander, equipped with basic first aid training, can dramatically alter the outcome.
Key principles of first aid include assessing the scene for safety, evaluating the victim’s condition, calling for emergency services, and delivering initial care, such as controlling bleeding, performing CPR, immobilizing fractures, or managing poisoning.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes integrating first aid awareness into national public education initiatives. This includes incorporating it into school curricula, offering workplace and community training programs, and making accessible digital learning tools available for all.
Moreover, first aid is crucial in strengthening community preparedness for emergencies and disasters. It forms an essential layer within the broader public health and emergency response system.
Under Saudi Vision 2030, first aid contributes to enhancing health literacy, promoting individual and social responsibility, and building a health-conscious society that acts confidently during critical moments—ultimately improving quality of life and reducing the burden of preventable injuries and complications.