As teenagers become more independent, they begin taking on new responsibilities. Whether they're babysitting younger siblings, working their first job, playing sports, learning to drive, or spending more time with friends, emergencies can happen when adults aren't immediately nearby.

Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make a huge difference. First aid isn't just for adults or healthcare professionals. It's a practical life skill that gives teens the confidence to stay calm and help someone in need.

Here are some of the most common emergencies every teen should know how to respond to.

1. Cuts and Bleeding

Minor cuts are common, but deeper wounds can become serious if they're not treated properly.

What to do:

• Stay calm
• Wash your hands if possible
• Apply direct pressure to the wound using clean gauze or a clean cloth
• Keep pressure on the injury until the bleeding slows or stops
• Cover the wound with a clean bandage

Get emergency help if:

• The bleeding won't stop after applying firm pressure
• Blood is spurting from the wound
• The cut is very deep or exposes bone, muscle, or fat
• The injury was caused by a dirty or rusty object

2. Burns

Burns can happen while cooking, around campfires, during BBQs, or from hot drinks and appliances.

What to do:

• Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes
• Remove rings or tight clothing before swelling starts (if they are not stuck to the skin)
• Cover the burn loosely with a clean, non-stick dressing

Avoid:

• Ice
• Butter
• Toothpaste
• Ointments immediately after the injury
• Popping blisters

Call 911 if:

• The burn is large
• The burn involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals
• The person has difficulty breathing after a fire or smoke exposure
• The burn appears deep or charred

3. Choking

A person who is choking may not be able to speak, cough, or breathe. They require immediate attention and intervention.

Signs of severe choking:

• Silent coughing or inability to cough
• Hands clutching the throat
• Blue lips or face
• Difficulty breathing

What to do:

• Encourage coughing if they can still cough
• If they cannot breathe or speak, call 911 immediately
• Begin appropriate first aid for choking:
  • Perform 5 back blows
  • Perform 5 abdominal or chest thrusts (depending on size of person)
  • Alternate until the object dislodges or the person becomes unconscious

Refer to our Quick Guide Infographic to learn more about how to help someone who is choking. Quick action can save a life.

4. Allergic Reactions

Food allergies, insect stings, and medications can all cause allergic reactions.

Mild symptoms:

• Itchy skin
• Hives
• Swelling around the eyes

Severe symptoms (Anaphylaxis):

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the tongue or throat
• Wheezing
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness

What to do:

If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen®), help them use it if needed and call 911 immediately. Even if symptoms improve, emergency medical care is still required.

How to Use an EpiPen:

1. Remove the EpiPen from its protective case.
2. Remove the blue safety cap
3. Hold the EpiPen around the middle (no thumb on either side)
4. Press the orange tip into the person’s thigh until you hear a “click”
5. Hold for 5-10 seconds to let the medication empty
6. Remove the EpiPen and rub the person’s thigh
7. Repeat every 5 minutes as needed

5. Sprains and Broken Bones

Sports, biking, skateboarding, and falls make sprains and fractures common among teens.

Signs include:

• Swelling
• Pain
• Bruising
• Difficulty moving or bearing weight
• Deformity

What to do:

• Stop using the injured body part
• Support the injury and keep it still
• Apply a cold pack wrapped in a cloth
• Seek medical attention or call 911 as needed

6. Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds can happen during sports, dry weather, or after being hit in the face.

What to do:

• Sit down and lean slightly forward
• Pinch where the hard and soft part of the nose meet continuously for 10–15 minutes
• Breathe through the mouth

Avoid:

• Tilting the head backward, as this can cause an airway obstruction
• Blowing the nose immediately afterward

Seek medical attention if bleeding lasts longer than 15 minutes or follows a significant injury.

7. Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Summer sports, outdoor work, hiking, and festivals increase the risk of heat-related illness.

Signs of heat exhaustion:

• Heavy sweating
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps

Move the person to a cool place, loosen clothing, and encourage cool fluids if they are fully awake.

Signs of heat stroke:

• Confusion
• Hot, dry skin (although skin may sometimes still be moist)
• Loss of consciousness
• High body temperature

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately and begin cooling the person while waiting for emergency responders.

To learn more about how to prevent heat emergencies and what to do, check out our previous blog here.

8. Concussions

Falls, sports, biking, and vehicle collisions can all cause concussions.

Watch for:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Memory problems
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise

Anyone with a suspected concussion should stop playing sports immediately and be assessed by a healthcare professional before returning to activity. For more information on concussions, check out our awareness flyer here. 

9. Asthma Emergencies

Many teens have asthma or know someone who does. Asthma attacks can be triggered by a variety of things such as allergens in the air, illness, exercise, and stress.

Signs of an Asthma Emergency:

• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Persistent coughing
• Trouble speaking in full sentences
• Blue lips or fingernails

Remove the person from the suspected trigger. Help the person use their prescribed rescue inhaler if available and call 911 if symptoms do not improve within 5 minutes of using the inhaler, or become severe.

How to use a Rescue Inhaler:

1. Shake the inhaler and remove the cap
2. Have the person breathe out, then close their mouth around the mouthpiece
3. Press down on the plunger
4. Have the person inhale as slowly as they can
5. Have the person hold their breath as long as is comfortable
6. Repeat as directed

10. Cardiac Emergencies

Although cardiac arrest is less common in teens, it can happen due to underlying heart conditions, drowning, trauma, or other medical emergencies.

Warning signs:

• Sudden collapse
• Unresponsive
• Not breathing normally or only gasping

What to do:

• Call 911 immediately
• Send someone to get an AED if one is available
• Begin CPR compressions by pushing hard and steady in the center of the person’s chest
• When the AED arrives, follow the AED's voice prompts and apply shock as needed

Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival! Check out these easy-to-follow infographics on how to use an AED and perform CPR.

Why Every Teen Should Learn First Aid

Learning first aid isn't just about passing a course; it's about building confidence.

Teens who know first aid are better prepared to:

• Help friends during sports or outdoor activities
• Respond to emergencies at home
• Care for younger siblings
• Babysit safely
• Handle workplace injuries
• Assist while waiting for emergency responders

Many employers also require or highly value first aid certification for part-time jobs in recreation, childcare, camps, customer service, and community programs.

Build Confidence Before an Emergency Happens

Emergencies are unpredictable, but your response doesn't have to be.

A Canadian Red Cross First Aid course provides teens with hands-on practice, real-life scenarios, and the confidence to respond when someone needs help most. Whether you're preparing for your first job, babysitting, volunteering, or simply becoming more independent, first aid is one of the most valuable life skills you can learn.

At KMW Outreach, we offer Canadian Red Cross first aid courses for teens, students, workplaces, and community members throughout Guelph and the surrounding area. Our experienced instructors create an engaging learning environment where participants gain practical skills they can use for life.

Ready to build confidence and learn skills that could save a life? Explore our upcoming first aid courses and register today.