Australian First Aid Practice Exam

The primary goal of first aid is to preserve life. This involves taking immediate actions to stabilize a person who has suffered an injury or sudden illness, ensuring that their vital functions, such as breathing and circulation, are maintained until professional medical help arrives.

Preserving life can include performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event of cardiac arrest, managing severe bleeding, and ensuring an open airway. These actions create the best opportunity for survival and recovery, making it the foremost duty of any first aider.

While promoting recovery, protecting from further harm, and keeping the casualty comfortable are essential components of first aid, they all serve the larger, overarching aim of preserving life in critical situations. Without the life-preserving actions, the effectiveness of first aid interventions would be undermined, making it the top priority in any emergency response situation.