What is the primary purpose of first aid in an emergency situation?

The primary purpose of first aid in an emergency situation is to stabilize and assist the injured individual before professional medical help can arrive. First aid acts as an immediate response to a medical emergency, focusing on basic care measures that can prevent a person's condition from worsening. It encompasses actions such as stopping bleeding, performing CPR, and providing reassurance to the victim, which are all aimed at maintaining vital signs and minimizing complications.

While curing injuries and diagnosing ailments are important aspects of medical care, they usually fall within the purview of trained medical professionals rather than the immediate responders in an emergency. Transporting the injured may also be necessary, but the first aid provider’s main objective is to ensure the victim is in the safest possible state to await more advanced medical attention.