NS1206: First Aid and Basic Life Support

Course Description:

This course equips nursing students with the essential knowledge and practical skills of first aid and basic life support (BLS). It focuses on the ability to rapidly recognize emergencies, provide immediate life-saving care, and deliver safe and effective first aid until professional medical support becomes available.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the principles and importance of first aid in health care and community settings.
• Assess emergency scenes for safety and provide systematic patient evaluation (ABC approach).
• Demonstrate competence in basic life support (adult, child, and infant CPR).
• Apply first aid techniques for bleeding, shock, wounds, burns, fractures, sprains, and dislocations.
• Provide emergency care for poisoning, envenomation, drowning, and electrocution.
• Manage medical emergencies such as seizures, asthma attacks, and diabetic crises.
• Perform safe methods of lifting, moving, and transporting patients.
• Demonstrate appropriate first aid response in special conditions (pregnancy, mass casualty, disasters).

Required Materials:

• Textbooks and references: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). First Aid Manual. Latest edition. American Heart Association (AHA). (2020).
• Lecture notes and PowerPoint slides provided by instructors.

Equipment & Materials for Practice

1. Manikins for CPR practice (adult, child, infant)
2. Bandages, slings, and splints
3. First aid kits and supplies
4. AED (Automated External Defibrillator)
5. Stretchers or improvised transport material