First Aid Vocabulary in English
20 essential first aid words with definitions and example sentences — emergencies, injuries, and casualty care for B1–C1 ESL learners.
First aid vocabulary is essential for anyone training as a first aider, working in a job where accidents can happen, or simply wanting to help in an emergency. These words appear on first aid courses, in workplace safety briefings, and in the moments when someone needs help before the ambulance arrives. For B1 to C1 learners, mastering this vocabulary helps you stay calm, follow instructions, and explain clearly what has happened.
This page covers 20 key first aid words and phrases that you will meet in real situations — calling for help in an emergency, treating a casualty with a deep cut, applying a bandage or dressing, or putting an unconscious person into the recovery position. Each term comes with a clear definition and a natural British example sentence so you can see exactly how it is used in context.
If you would like to broaden your medical English, take a look at our related Health vocabulary, Anatomy vocabulary, and Medical Procedures vocabulary pages. Together, these lists give you the confidence to handle emergencies, describe injuries, and talk to medical staff in English.
Word List
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| casualty | a person who has been hurt or killed in an accident or emergency | The first aider knelt beside the casualty and asked where it hurt. |
| bandage | a strip of material wrapped around a wound or injured part to protect or support it | She wrapped a bandage firmly around his sprained ankle. |
| dressing | a sterile covering placed directly on a wound to keep it clean and absorb blood | He pressed a clean dressing over the cut to stop it bleeding. |
| tourniquet | a tight band placed around a limb to stop severe bleeding when other methods fail | The paramedic applied a tourniquet above the wound to control the heavy bleeding. |
| CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation; chest compressions and rescue breaths used when a person's heart has stopped | She started CPR straight away while a bystander called 999. |
| resuscitation | the act of reviving someone who has stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped | The team continued resuscitation until the ambulance arrived. |
| defibrillator | a device that gives an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm | A defibrillator on the wall of the station helped save the man's life. |
| recovery position | a safe position, lying on the side, used for an unconscious person who is breathing | He placed the casualty in the recovery position to keep her airway clear. |
| sling | a band of cloth used to support an injured arm or shoulder | The nurse put his broken arm in a sling to keep it still. |
| splint | a stiff support tied alongside a broken bone to keep it from moving | They made a splint from a rolled-up newspaper to support his leg. |
| sprain | an injury caused by twisting or stretching a ligament, often in the ankle or wrist | She suffered a nasty sprain after slipping on the wet step. |
| fracture | a break or crack in a bone | An X-ray showed a small fracture in his wrist. |
| burn | an injury to the skin caused by heat, fire, chemicals, or electricity | He held the burn under cool running water for several minutes. |
| choking | being unable to breathe because something is blocking the throat or windpipe | She gave five back blows when the child started choking on a sweet. |
| bleeding | the flow of blood from a wound or injury | He pressed firmly on the cut to slow the bleeding. |
| shock | a dangerous condition where the body's organs do not get enough blood, often after serious injury | The casualty went pale and cold, which are early signs of shock. |
| plaster | a small sticky strip used to cover a minor cut or graze | She put a plaster over the graze on his knee. |
| antiseptic | a substance that kills germs and helps prevent a wound from becoming infected | He cleaned the cut with antiseptic before covering it. |
| emergency | a sudden, serious situation that needs immediate action or help | In an emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. |
| paramedic | a trained medical worker who gives emergency treatment, often before reaching hospital | The paramedic checked the casualty's breathing and gave oxygen. |
Practice These Words
Flash Cards
Review first aid vocabulary with spaced repetition
Wordsearch
Find first aid words hidden in the grid
Quiz
Test your first aid vocabulary knowledge
Practice What You've Learned
LexFizz has 30 free interactive exercises — no sign-up needed.
Browse All Exercises →Related Vocabulary Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a bandage and a dressing?
A dressing is the sterile pad that goes directly onto a wound to keep it clean and soak up blood. A bandage is the strip of material that holds the dressing in place or supports an injured part, such as a sprained ankle. In short, the dressing touches the wound while the bandage wraps around the outside. Many first aid kits contain combined items where a dressing and bandage come together, which makes treating a casualty quicker.
What does CPR stand for and when is it used?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is used when a person's heart has stopped and they are not breathing normally. CPR combines firm chest compressions with rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen moving around the body until help arrives. If you ever need to start CPR, call 999 first, then push hard and fast in the centre of the chest. Early CPR, together with a defibrillator, greatly improves a person's chance of survival.
When should you put someone in the recovery position?
You place a casualty in the recovery position when they are unconscious but still breathing normally. Lying them on their side keeps the airway open and lets any fluid drain from the mouth, which reduces the risk of choking. Once they are in position, keep checking their breathing and stay with them until help arrives. You should not use the recovery position if you suspect a serious neck or spine injury, unless their breathing is at risk.
What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?
A sprain is damage to a ligament, the tough tissue that connects bones, usually caused by twisting or stretching a joint. A fracture is an actual break or crack in a bone. Both can cause pain and swelling, so it is not always easy to tell them apart. As a rule, treat the injury as a possible fracture if there is severe pain, an odd shape, or the person cannot use the limb, and seek medical help to be sure.
How do you treat a minor burn?
For a minor burn, cool it under cool or lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes as soon as possible. Remove any jewellery or tight clothing near the area before it begins to swell, but do not pull off anything stuck to the skin. Once cooled, cover the burn loosely with cling film or a clean dressing to protect it. Do not use ice, butter, or creams, and seek medical help for large, deep, or blistering burns.
What should you do if someone is choking?
If an adult is choking and cannot speak, cough, or breathe, give up to five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If that does not clear the blockage, give up to five abdominal thrusts. Keep alternating back blows and thrusts, and call 999 if the object does not come out. Encourage the person to keep coughing while they still can, as a strong cough is often the best way to shift the blockage.
What is a tourniquet and when is it needed?
A tourniquet is a tight band placed around an arm or leg to stop severe bleeding that cannot be controlled by pressing on the wound. It is a last resort, used only for life-threatening blood loss from a limb. Once applied, a tourniquet should not be loosened, and you must note the time it was put on for the paramedic. Because tourniquets cut off the blood supply completely, they should only be used in a genuine emergency.
What are the signs of shock in first aid?
Shock is a dangerous condition where the body's organs do not get enough blood, often after serious injury or heavy bleeding. Early signs include pale, cold, and clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, and rapid breathing. The casualty may feel dizzy, sick, or anxious. While you wait for help, lay the person down, raise their legs if you can, keep them warm, and reassure them. Treat the cause, such as severe bleeding, as quickly as possible.
What is the difference between a plaster and a dressing?
A plaster is a small sticky strip with a tiny pad in the middle, used for minor cuts and grazes that bleed only a little. A dressing is larger and designed for more serious wounds, where you need a sterile pad held firmly in place to control bleeding. For everyday scrapes a plaster is enough, but for a deeper or heavily bleeding wound you should use a proper dressing and apply pressure. Clean the area with antiseptic first where possible.
What is the best way to learn first aid vocabulary?
The most effective way is to connect each word to a real action you might take in an emergency. As you picture applying a bandage, putting a casualty in the recovery position, or starting CPR, say the words out loud. Taking a hands-on first aid course is ideal, because you use the vocabulary while you practise. To reinforce the 20 words on this page, try Flash Cards on LexFizz, then test yourself with the Quiz. Linking words to actions helps them stick far faster than memorising a list.