When an emergency happens, the first five minutes are the most critical. Whether you’re at work, at home, or out in the community, your actions in those early moments can make the difference between life and death. At Flowers Training, we teach thousands of learners across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire how to stay calm, take control and provide effective emergency first aid. Here’s a clear, practical guide to what you should do in those vital first minutes.
- Stop, Look and Think
Your first instinct may be to rush straight in, but the safest responders are the ones who pause for a moment to assess the situation. Look for dangers such as traffic, fire, electricity, sharp objects or aggressive behaviour. If you become injured, you can’t help anyone else.
This initial risk assessment is a key part of all first aid training courses, including Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid.
- Check for a Response
Once it’s safe to approach, check whether the person is responsive. Speak to them clearly, gently shake their shoulders (for adults) and ask simple questions like “Can you hear me?” or “Are you okay?”
If they respond, keep them talking and assess what has happened. If they don’t respond, you must act quickly.
- Call 999 Early
Calling for help early is one of the most important steps in any emergency. Provide the operator with:
- Your location
- What happened
- The person’s condition
- Any immediate dangers
If possible, put your phone on loudspeaker so you can continue providing first aid while receiving guidance.
In our first aid courses, we emphasise that early activation of emergency services dramatically improves outcomes.
- Open the Airway and Check Breathing
If the person is unresponsive, open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. Check for normal breathing for up to 10 seconds.
- If they are breathing: Place them in the recovery position and continue monitoring.
- If they are not breathing normally: Begin CPR immediately.
These skills are taught in all accredited first aid courses, and practising them builds confidence for real‑life emergencies.
- Start CPR or Provide Immediate First Aid
If the person is not breathing, start CPR straight away: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, or hands‑only CPR if you prefer. If an AED (defibrillator) is available, send someone to get it and follow the voice prompts.
If the emergency is not cardiac‑related, provide the appropriate first aid:
- Severe bleeding – apply pressure
- Choking – deliver back blows and abdominal thrusts
- Seizures – protect the person from harm
- Burns – cool the burn with cool running water
The key is to stay calm, act quickly and use the skills you’ve learned.
Learn to Act With Confidence
Emergencies are unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. With the right first aid training, anyone can learn to stay calm, take control and save a life.
At Flowers Training, we deliver friendly, accredited first aid courses across Essex, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, including Emergency First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid, Fire Safety, Manual Handling and more.
