What is "First Aid"?

"First Aid" means the following:

1. Using a nonprescription 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);

2. Administering tetanus immunizations (other immunizations, such as Hepatitis B vaccine or rabies vaccine, are considered medical treatment);

3. Cleaning, flushing or soaking wounds on the surface of the skin;

4. Using wound coverings such as bandages, Band-Aids™, gauze pads, etc.; or using butterfly bandages or Steri-Strips™ (other wound closing devices such as sutures, staples, etc. are considered medical treatment);

5. Using hot or cold therapy;

6. Using any non-rigid means of support, such as elastic bandages, wraps, non-rigid back belts, etc. (devices with rigid stays or other systems designed to immobilize parts of the body are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes);

7. Using temporary immobilization devices while transporting an accident victim (e.g., splints, slings, neck collars, backboards, etc.);

8. Drilling of a fingernail or toenail to relieve pressure, or draining fluid from a blister;

9. Using eye patches;

10. Removing foreign bodies from the eye using only irrigation or a cotton swab;

11. Removing splinters or foreign material from areas other than the eye by irrigation, tweezers, cotton swabs or other simple means;

12. Using finger guards;

13. Using massages (physical therapy or chiropractic treatment are considered medical treatment for recordkeeping purposes); or

14. Drinking fluids for relief of heat stress. Source: California Department of Industrial Relations