What is first aid?

First aid refers to the immediate and temporary care provided to an individual who has sustained an injury or is experiencing a sudden illness, prior to the arrival of professional medical assistance. This care aims to stabilize the individual’s condition and prevent further harm or complications until more comprehensive medical treatment can be administered.

This concept is vital in emergency situations where prompt action can significantly affect the outcome for the injured or ill person. First aid can include a range of practices such as applying pressure to a wound to stop bleeding, administering CPR, or using an automated external defibrillator (AED) in case of cardiac arrest.

In contrast, the other options refer to different aspects of healthcare or medical treatment that do not align with the immediate and temporary nature of first aid. Options highlighting long-term care, preventative healthcare, and advanced surgical interventions indicate treatments and approaches that occur in different contexts and timings than first aid, which is focused solely on immediate response in emergency scenarios.