First aid refers to the initial, immediate care administered to an individual who has suffered an injury or sudden illness, prior to the arrival of trained medical professionals. The fundamental principles involve ensuring scene safety before assessing the victim to determine the nature and severity of the emergency. Procedures typically focus on maintaining life functions, managing severe bleeding, treating shock, and stabilizing the victim's condition. Effective first aid requires systematic assessment, which prioritizes immediate life threats such as compromised airways or major hemorrhage, and then systematically addresses less critical injuries. The goal of providing first aid is to prevent the condition from worsening, mitigate pain, and preserve the victim's health until professional medical intervention can be obtained.