Whether you're formally prepping for your CPR/first aid certification or just want to equip yourself with the medical knowledge to handle any emergency situation, Brainscape’s expert-curated first aid flashcards are the fastest way to master the knowledge behind basic, life-saving protocols and retain them for life.
Powered by decades of cognitive science research, Brainscape’s adaptive flashcard platform helps you study twice as efficiently by (1) breaking down all the facts you need to know into neatly-organized flashcard sets and (2) targeting your weakest areas and reinforcing them through spaced repetition. That means less cramming. Less forgetting. And more confidence, especially when someone’s safety might depend on your skills.
These first aid flashcards are ideal to download for students, parents, educators, safety officers, and anyone preparing for a CPR/First Aid certification test from providers like the American Red Cross, AHA, or St. John Ambulance. Importantly, they are intended to complement your formal learning elsewhere and not substitute for it.
What You Get With Brainscape’s First Aid Flashcard Set
- 330+ Digital flashcards on the highest-yield topics for any first aid test, including treatment protocols, injuries, drowning, heart attack signs, and so much more.
- Peace of mind as these cards cover all the facts you need to know, saving you the guesswork of what topics to focus on, and hours of work making your own cards.
- Flashcard features and formatting that are engineered to make studying easy and efficient, empowering you to master the facts effortlessly.
- A fast, effective spaced repetition learning system that will help you learn TWICE as fast, and remember for longer.
- Ongoing feedback, statistics, and visualization tools to help you keep detailed track of your progress, which motivates you to study more often and manage your time effectively.
- A carefully tailored and scaffolded content-based curriculum that logically builds on key first aid concepts.
- A flashcard deck search feature that allows you to use Brainscape as a reference tool (provided you download all decks for offline study).
- Ultimate freedom, access, and convenience to learn anytime, anywhere (even offline) with in-sync studying across Brainscape’s website and all your iOS and Android app devices.
- A free online first aid study guide, which you can access via the app or on the website.
Disclaimer: Brainscape’s first aid flashcards are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for formal medical training, certification, or professional healthcare advice. Brainscape and its contributors are not liable for any outcomes resulting from the application or misuse of this information in real-life emergencies.
Built by First Aid Experts. Designed for Real Emergencies.
Brainscape's basic first aid flashcards were developed using guidance from leading first aid instructors, certified EMTs, and public safety educators with hands-on experience teaching real-world care scenarios. We sourced material from the most respected organizations in the field, including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association (AHA), National Safety Council, and St. John Ambulance.
Our flashcard curriculum draws from the most widely accepted first aid certification manuals and training protocols to help you learn the essential facts: from the correct order of CPR steps, AED use, monitoring heartbeats, and vital health signs to look out for to treating wounds, allergic reactions, heart attacks, injuries, and environmental emergencies. These first aid flashcard decks are scaffolded to build your understanding of the steps to follow. They're not just created to help you memorize theory, but to make you ready to deliver treatment under pressure.
Even better? These potentially life-saving flashcards will serve you whether you’re preparing for a written test, brushing up between certifications, or trying to make sure you never forget how to save a life. Simply download, click the "Study" button, and begin your journey.
Why Learners Love Our First Aid Flashcards
Studying first aid shouldn’t feel like a chore, especially when the stakes are this high. That’s why Brainscape makes it effortless to master first aid with flashcards that cut out the noise and focus on the topics and facts that matter.
Instead of flipping through dense manuals or hoping you remember what your instructor said about compression rates, treatment for injuries, and the signs of a heart attack, you can use our first aid flashcards—with seamless sync across the app and website—to drill core theoretical knowledge on your commute, during a lunch break, or while waiting for class to start.
And because Brainscape helps you study more efficiently, you’ll retain this life-saving information for longer. That makes these flashcards the perfect tool to download for medical professionals who need to keep their certifications current, as well as non-medical people like parents or teachers who want a gentle on-ramp into lifesaving knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Five Basic Steps for First Aid?
The five basic steps of first aid, often taught in most certification programs, are:
- Recognize the emergency – Stay calm and assess the situation.
- Ensure scene safety – Make sure it’s safe for you and the victim before approaching.
- Call for help – Dial emergency services or ask a bystander to do so.
- Provide care – Administer the appropriate first aid (e.g. CPR, stopping injury bleeding, using an AED).
- Monitor the victim – Keep the person stable and reassured until professional help arrives.
These steps are foundational to basic first aid training and appear across most global standards, including those from the American Red Cross and AHA.
What Are 10 Basic First Aid Tips?
- Always check the scene for safety before approaching.
- Call emergency services if a person is unconscious or severely injured.
- Apply firm, direct pressure to stop bleeding wounds.
- If the person isn’t breathing and has no pulse, begin CPR immediately.
- Use an AED as soon as one is available.
- Cool burns with running water for at least 10 minutes.
- If a person is choking, firmly strike them on the upper back with an open palm.
- For broken bones, immobilize the area and avoid movement.
- If a person faints, lie them flat and elevate their feet.
- Always use protective gloves and avoid direct contact with bodily fluids.
Brainscape’s first aid flashcards cover all of these and more, helping you commit life-saving knowledge to memory.
What Are the 3 C's in First Aid?
The 3 C’s are a quick mental model to guide first responders in an emergency:
- Check – Assess the situation and the victim’s condition.
- Call – Contact emergency services as soon as possible.
- Care – Provide appropriate first aid until help arrives.
You’ll see this model across all the major first aid certification programs. It’s a simple but powerful structure to stay focused and effective in high-stress situations.
What Is the CPR Ratio?
The standard CPR ratio for adults, children, and infants (when performed by a single rescuer) is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This 30:2 ratio is taught by both the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. If two trained rescuers are present, especially for children or infants, the ratio may be modified (e.g., 15:2 for two-person child CPR).
How Long Does a First Aid Certification Last?
Most basic first aid certifications are valid for two years. After that, you'll need to renew your certification by retaking the course and assessment. Downloading Brainscape’s first aid flashcards is a great way to refresh key concepts between certifications without needing to start from scratch. It's also a useful and practical reference tool for people craving an on-the-spot refresher for a term or definition.
What is Covered in a First Aid Certification Course?
Courses typically cover:
- Scene safety and primary assessment
- CPR and AED usage
- Choking and breathing emergencies
- Bleeding control and injuries/wound care
- Burns, shock, and allergic reactions
- Poisoning, environmental emergencies, and fractures
Do I Need Prior Training to Take a Basic First Aid Course?
No prior training is required. Basic first aid certification is open to everyone: students, parents, employees, volunteers, and more. Many learners turn to Brainscape’s first aid flashcards as an easy way to get familiar with the content before their class, or to reinforce concepts afterward.
How Long is the First Aid Course and Test?
Most basic first aid courses last between 4 and 8 hours, depending on whether CPR and AED training are included. The test portion usually involves a short multiple-choice quiz and/or a hands-on practical assessment. Brainscape’s flashcards help you prepare for both, building your memory of the necessary facts and treatment protocols and boosting your confidence before exam day.
What’s the Pass Rate for First Aid Certification?
Very high. Most first aid courses are designed to help all participants succeed. The pass rate is typically 99%, provided you attend the full course and complete the assessment. Still, many learners feel nervous before their exam. Brainscape helps control test anxiety by giving you repeated exposure to the key knowledge in a low-stress format.
Are Brainscape's First Aid Flashcards All That I Need to Pass My Course?
No. Brainscape's flashcards cannot substitute the hands-on skills you will be learning in your first aid course, nor are they intended to. These flashcards have been curated to help you drill yourself on the content-based knowledge you need to know so that you can learn faster and focus on practicing the more practical skills your course will be teaching you. You can also continue to use these flashcards as a reference tool once you've achieved your certification!
