What is first aid?

For recordkeeping purposes, “first aid” means the following:

• Using a non-prescription medication at nonprescription strength (for medications available in both prescription and non-prescription form, a recommendation by a physician or other licensed health care professional to use a non-prescription medication at prescription strength is considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);
• Administering tetanus immunizations (the Hepatitis B or rabies vaccine are considered medical treatment);
• Cleaning, flushing, or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin;
• Using wound coverings (e.g., bandages, Band–Aids™, gauze pads), butterfly bandages, or Steri–Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc. are considered medical treatment);
• Using hot or cold therapy;
• Using any non–rigid means of support (e.g., elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts);
• Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g., splints, slings, neck collars, back boards);
• Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure or draining fluid from a blister;
• Using eye patches;
• Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab;
• Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs, or other simple means;
• Using finger guards;
• Using massages (physical therapy or chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); or
• Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress.

This is a complete list of all treatments and no other procedures are included in first aid for recordkeeping purposes.