What is the primary purpose of first aid?

The primary purpose of first aid is to preserve life until advanced medical care is available. This involves providing immediate assistance to an injured or ill person, ensuring that their condition does not worsen while waiting for professional medical help to arrive. First aid focuses on maintaining vital functions such as breathing and circulation, stabilizing the victim's condition, and preventing further injury. By acting quickly and efficiently in an emergency, first aid can significantly increase the chances of survival and recovery for the victim.

While treating the victim's injuries is a component of first aid, the overarching goal is to ensure the survival and stabilization of the individual until more comprehensive medical treatment can be administered. Keeping the scene safe is important for the safety of both the rescuer and the victim, but it is not the primary aim of first aid itself. Proper documentation of the emergency is also necessary but does not relate directly to the immediate life-preserving actions that first aid embodies. Thus, preserving life remains the ultimate focus of first aid practices.