Introducing the Indian First Aid Manual by Indian Red Cross Society
An emergency can happen during an ordinary day: a fall at home, an injury on the road, or someone becoming suddenly unwell at a community gathering. The people nearby may want to help but feel unsure about what to do. Preparing before such a moment is one practical way to care for our neighbours.
For the Samaritans of Mandya community, learning first aid is a meaningful expression of service. As we begin sharing resources through this portal, we invite families, parish groups and volunteers to explore the Indian First Aid Manual and take the next step towards practical first aid training.
About the manual
The Indian First Aid Manual is jointly published by the Indian Red Cross Society and St John Ambulance Association (India). The English PDF introduced here is the seventh edition, published in 2016. The Indian Red Cross Society continues to list this edition on its first aid resources page. [1, 2]
The 353-page PDF is intended for the general public as well as members of the publishing organisations. Its illustrated chapters connect background information with signs to recognise, first aid responses and guidance on seeking medical care. This structure makes it useful for planned study and revision. [1]
Because this is a 2016 publication, readers should use it alongside current instruction from qualified first aid trainers. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has since issued its 2025 international guidelines, which draw on updated evidence. The manual should therefore be approached as a learning resource, with practical techniques checked against current training. [4]
What the manual covers
Its scope extends from basic emergency response to support during disasters. The following overview highlights selected areas. [1]
Area | Examples covered |
Emergency foundations | Safety, assessment, seeking help, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), recovery position and hygiene |
Breathing and circulation | Choking, drowning, asthma, chest discomfort, bleeding and shock |
Injuries | Wounds, fractures, joint injuries, burns and spinal injuries |
Sudden illness | Stroke, seizures, diabetes, diarrhoea and fever |
Environmental hazards | Poisoning, bites, stings, heat illness and hypothermia |
Care and responsibility | Consent, privacy, first aid law and psychological first aid |
Wider emergencies | Disaster situations and emergency childbirth |
Practical support | Dressings, bandages, transport techniques and first aid box contents |
These topics can help a family or volunteer group identify what it needs to learn. Parents may wish to ask a trainer about emergencies involving children; caregivers may want to discuss falls and sudden illness. Parish organisers can use the range of topics to plan training suited to their gatherings and activities.
Why this matters for our community
The example of the Good Samaritan invites us to notice another person's suffering and respond with care. Learning first aid gives that willingness a practical direction. It also encourages humility: a responsible volunteer recognises the limits of their skills and understands the importance of professional help.
We encourage our community to make preparedness a shared responsibility. A family can discuss who will call for assistance. A parish group can identify volunteers interested in training. Organisers can check that emergency information and first aid supplies are easy to locate before an event begins.
Learning together also creates space for questions that people may hesitate to ask on their own. An older person, a young volunteer and a parent may bring different concerns to the same discussion. Those concerns can help an instructor make the training relevant to everyday life.
How to begin reading and learning
You do not need to read the entire manual in one sitting. We suggest a steady approach that connects reading with opportunities to learn from an instructor.
Begin with the foundations. Set aside a short, regular reading period. Start with the introductory material and basic first aid section before choosing individual conditions. Keep a note of unfamiliar terms and questions.
Choose topics relevant to your setting. Think about the places where you spend time: your home, workplace, school or parish. Select a few topics to discuss with a trainer, while still completing the foundations covered in a recognised course.
Bring questions to practical training. Ask the instructor to explain anything you found difficult, demonstrate the relevant skills and observe your practice. Reading a description and performing a skill are different learning tasks.
Plan to refresh your learning. Keep the manual accessible for revision and arrange refreshers through your training provider. The IFRC's 2025 guidance supports continued learning and practice after an initial course. [5]
Why practical training is essential
The Indian Red Cross Society publishes a standard first aid training outline that combines trainer demonstrations with learner exercises and role play. It includes practice in emergency assessment, CPR, choking response, managing bleeding and injuries, and other situations. This emphasis on participation is a useful guide when looking for a course. [3]
Contact the Indian Red Cross Society or St John Ambulance in your area to ask about available training. Confirm the course content, language, practical assessment and certification arrangements directly with the provider. The IFRC also encourages learners to contact their national Red Cross or Red Crescent society for information about becoming a certified first aider. [6]
For a parish or volunteer group, consider learning together so participants can discuss the situations they may encounter. Choose a course with supervised practice, and ask how learners can keep their skills current afterwards. Reading this blog or downloading the manual does not confer first aid certification.
Take the first step
We invite every reader to begin with one achievable action: open the manual, read the introductory section, and find out about a practical first aid course. Share the official link with a family member or fellow volunteer who would like to learn with you.
For Samaritans of Mandya, this is an invitation to prepare ourselves for service. Time spent learning today can help us approach a difficult moment with greater understanding and a clearer sense of how to seek help.
Read or download the Indian First Aid Manual in English
Explore Indian Red Cross Society first aid resources
In an emergency, call 112, India's integrated emergency number, for assistance including medical emergencies. Do not delay seeking professional help while searching this portal or reading the manual. [7]
This article introduces an educational resource. It does not replace practical first aid training, professional medical advice or emergency care.
Sources and further reading
1. Indian First Aid Manual, seventh edition, 2016
2. Indian Red Cross Society first aid resources
3. IRCS Standard First Aid Training Programme, April 2019
4. IFRC International First Aid, Resuscitation and Education Guidelines 2025
5. IFRC 2025 guidelines, Refresh and retrain section
6. IFRC first aid learning and training
7. Ministry of Home Affairs Emergency Response Support System
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