First aid (FA) is described as a helping behaviour by anyone for any medical condition, in any situation, including self-care. Its provision typically involves recognising, assessing, and prioritising needs, providing care within the provider’s competencies whilst recognising their limitations and seeking additional help, such as activating the emergency services. All resuscitation, including basic and advanced life support, begins with first aid interventions: assessing scene safety, recognising decreased responsiveness or abnormal breathing, positioning the person appropriately, and responding to life-threatening conditions. First aid serves as a crucial first link in the chain of survival. Since 2021, the ERC has focussed its scope and now emphasises the importance of first aid in the cardiac arrest chain of survival, i.e. in reducing morbidity and preventing cardiac arrest. The ERC Guidelines 2025 First Aid focuses on life-threatening conditions and conditions where first aid could reduce morbidity and prevent progression to cardiac arrest. Therefore, topics which were previously included, and are not directly related to the revised scope, may not be included this year.

The public comment period for the Draft Guidelines chapters is open until May 26, and we look forward to your valued contribution.

Please read the draft guidelines here before proceeding to the comment section.