Complete First Aid

19/10/2026

How to apply a dressing
When you have a wound, you should always cover it with a dressing as this can help to prevent infection. When applying a dressing always wear disposable gloves. Some dressings have a wound dressing and bandage attached.

How to apply a dressing with a bandage attached
• Wash hands and put on disposable, non-latex gloves before touching a dressing or wound. We recommend using nitrile powder-free gloves for your first aid kit.
• Unfold the dressing pad and lay it directly on top of the wound, keeping it in place by holding the bandage on each side. Make sure the dressing covers beyond the edge of the wound.
• Wrap the short end of the bandage around the injured part to secure the dressing pad.
• Then wrap the longer end around the injured part, making sure all of the dressing pad is covered. Leave the short end hanging out.
• Secure the bandage by tying the short and long ends together in a reef knot, over the top of the pad to keep pressure on the wound.
• Then check their circulation. To do this press a nail or skin beyond the wound for five seconds until it goes pale. If the colour doesn’t come back within two seconds, the bandage is too tight, so you’ll need to loosen it. Keep checking their circulation every 10 minutes.
Once the bleed is under control, secure in place with the bandage, tying the knot over the wound to keep the pressure on. If blood comes through the first dressing you can apply a second dressing over the first.

18/10/2026

If you want to know more about first aid or would like to attend one of our first aid courses why not contact us at [email protected] on 07907488 or via

Contact Complete First Aid to discuss what training we provide and how we can help you with learning about First Aid courses.

17/10/2026

How to put a child in the recovery position
If a child is not responding to you but breathing normally, it’s safe to put them in the recovery position. When a child is in the recovery position their airway is kept open and any vomit would drain away without interfering with their breathing.

What to do
If you find a child collapsed, you should first perform a primary survey. If this establishes that they are unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position.

• Kneel by the child and straighten their legs.
• If they are wearing glasses, or have any bulky items in their pockets, remove them.
• Place the arm that is nearest to you at a right angle to their body, with the elbow bent and their palm facing upwards.
• Bring their other arm across their chest and place the back of their hand against the cheek nearest to you and hold it there.
• With your other hand, pull their far knee up so that their foot is flat on the floor.
• Keeping the back of the child’s hand pressed against their cheek, pull on the far leg to roll the child towards you on to their side. You can then adjust the top leg so that it is bent at a right angle.
• You then need to gently tilt the child’s head back and lift their chin to make sure their airway stays open. You can adjust the hand under their cheek to help keep the airway open.
• Call 999/112 for emergency help if it hasn’t already been done. Monitor their level of response while waiting for help to arrive.
• If they remain in the recovery position for 30 minutes, roll them into the recovery position on the other side.

16/10/2026

Sprains and Strains

Look for:
• pain and tenderness
• swelling and bruising
• difficulty moving the injured area, especially if it’s a joint.
What to do
• R – Rest the injured part. Help them to sit or lie down and support the injured part in a comfortable position, raised if possible.
• I – Apply an Ice pack or cold compress. Try and cool the area by putting an ice pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a tea towel against the injury. This can help to reduce the swelling, pain and bruising. This should be left on for a maximum of 20 minutes.
• C – Provide Comfortable support. Use blankets, cushions, jackets and soft padding to support the injury.
• E - Elevate the injured part. Support the injury in an elevated position to help minimise swelling and bruising. You could do this by placing pillows underneath the injured part.
After using the RICE method, advise the casualty to rest. If the pain is severe or they cannot move the injured part, seek medical advice.

15/10/2026

Tip of the Day: If someone faints lay them on their back and elevate their legs about 30 centimetres. Don’t let them get up until they are fully recovered. You may want to seek medical help if they have hurt themselves or are concerned about why they fainted.

14/10/2026

Tip of the Day: If someone you know carries an EpiPen, make sure you know where they keep it. If they have a severe allergic reaction take off the cap and push the EpiPen into their thigh muscle and hold for 3 seconds. Call 999 immediately.

13/10/2026

Tip of the Day: If your child collapses and stops breathing, form a seal around their mouth and blow into them 5 times before starting chest compressions. Call 999 as soon as possible.

12/10/2026

Are you paying too much for your First Aid training?
Our one day Emergency First Aid at Work courses in Chelmsford are just £85 per person. Compare our prices! See our course dates here https://completefirstaid.org/course-dates/

12/10/2026

How to give CPR to a Baby
Place the baby on a firm surface and open their airway. To do this, place one hand on their forehead and very gently tilt their head back. With your other hand, use your fingertip and gently lift the chin.
Take a breath and put your mouth around the baby’s mouth and nose to make a seal and blow gently and steadily for up to one second. The chest should rise. Remove your mouth and watch the chest fall. That’s one rescue breath, or puff. Do this five times.
You will then need to give 30 pumps. Put two fingers in the centre of the baby’s chest and push down a third of the depth of the chest. Release the pressure allowing the chest to come back up. Repeat this 30 times at a rate of 100 to 120 pumps per minute.
After 30 pumps, open the airway and give two puffs. Keep alternating 30 pumps with two puffs (30:2) until:
• emergency help arrives and takes over
• the baby starts showing signs of life and starts to breathe normally.
If the baby shows signs of becoming responsive, such as, coughing, opening their eyes, making a noise, or starts to breathe normally, put them in the recovery position.
Monitor their level of response and prepare to give CPR again if necessary.

11/10/2026

How to put a baby in the Recovery Position
If the baby is not responding to you, first perform a primary survey – check for Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation (any bleeding?). If this establishes that they are unresponsive but breathing, put them in the recovery position. Cradle the baby in your arms, with their head tilted downwards to prevent them from choking or inhaling vomit. Call 999 or 112 for emergency help and monitor their level of response until help arrives. If the baby stops breathing you will need to start CPR.