First aid is emergency care for a victim of sudden illness or injury until more skillful medical treatment is available. First aid may save a life or improve certain vital signs including pulse, temperature, a clear airway, and breathing. In minor emergencies, first aid may prevent a victim’s condition from worsening and provide relief from pain. First aid must be given as quickly as possible. In the case of seriously injured, a few minutes can make the difference between complete recovery and loss of life.

First aid measures depend upon a victim’s needs and provider’s level of knowledge and skill. Knowing what not to do in an emergency is as important as knowing what to do. Improperly moving a person with a neck injury , for example, can lead to permanent spinal (脊柱的) injury and paralysis (瘫痪)。

Despite the variety of injuries possible, several basic rules of first aid apply to all emergencies. The first step is to call for professional medical help. The victim, if conscious (有意识的), should be reassured that medical aid has been requested, and ask for permission to provide any first aid. Next, assess the scene, asking other people or the injured person’s family or friends about details of the injury or illness, any care that may have already been given, and preexisting conditions such as diabetes (糖尿病) or heart trouble. The victim should be checked for the medical card that describes special medical conditions. Unless the accident scene becomes unsafe or the victim may suffer further injury, do not move the victim.

First aid requires rapid assessment of victims to determine whether life-threatening conditions exist. One method for assessing a victims condition is known by ABC, which stands for:

A — Airway: is it open and clear?

B — Breathing: is the person breathing? Look, listen, and feel for breathing.

C — Circulation: is there a pulse? Is the person bleeding extremely?

Check skin color and temperature for additional indications of circulation problems.

【小题1】Before we give first aid to a victim, it is very important for us to ___________________.

A．make sure what to do and what not to do	B．refer to all kinds of handbooks on first aid
C．remove the ring or bracelet he/she may be wearing	D．take him/her to a hospital at once

【小题2】According to this article, first aid is usually provided by _______________

A．professional doctors	B．the victim’s family members
C．the victim’s friends	D．those who are not necessarily professional doctors

【小题3】Which of the following is NOT true when you assess a victim’s condition?

A．Checking whether there is a pulse.	B．Looking, listening and feeling for breathing.
C．Replacing his/her medical card.	D．Examining whether the airway is open and clear.

【小题4】The purpose of the passage is to tell readers___________.

A．the importance of protecting the accident scene.	B．some basic knowledge about first aid.
C．what professional medical help is.	D．who can give first aid.