The purpose of this guide is to improve the quality of initial emergency medical care provided to the sick and injured. As the first trained person at an emergency medical scene, it is critical that the first responder be proficient in providing patient care and minimizing further complications until more highly trained emergency medical service personnel intervene.

In identifying these minima, the guide acknowledges many types of first responder emergency medical care courses of study. This guide allows and encourages the addition of optional knowledge, skill, and attitudinal objectives. Programs such as those for law enforcement, firefighters, and ski patrol are examples of this diversity meeting specific local community needs.

This guide is intended to assist those who are responsible for defining the scope of performance for first responders.

This guide is not intended to be used as a scope of performance for emergency ambulance personnel (see Practice F 1031).

1.1 This guide covers minimum requirements for the scope of performance of first responders who may be responsible for the initial care of sick and injured persons of all ages in the prehospital environment.

1.2 This guide includes objectives based on an individual's acquired knowledge, including signs and symptoms; patient assessment; basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS/CPR); bleeding and shock; injuries to the skull, spine, chest, abdomen, and extremities; moving patients; medical and environmental emergencies; triage; gaining access; and hazardous situations that the first responder may encounter.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.