As a First Aid Instructor, I deliver courses of different levels to clients and businesses all over the North East.
Most people arrive at my sessions bright-eyed and eager to learn — but they also bring along “facts” they think they know about first aid.
When I explain that what they “know” isn’t true, they’re always surprised… and sometimes, I admit, they make me laugh.
Because so many people believe these myths, here are 10 common First Aid misconceptions — and why they’re wrong.
1. Put a Wooden Spoon in the Mouth of Someone Having a Seizure
“It’s so they don’t swallow their tongue!” — I hear this all the time.
- Swallowing your tongue is extremely rare.
- Forcing an object into someone’s mouth during a seizure can cause injury and make the situation worse.
- Most seizures stop naturally after a short time.
✅ What to do instead: Clear the area around the person to prevent injury, and let the seizure run its course.
2. Put Butter on a Burn
“But it keeps the skin moist!”
- Burns have already dried out the skin. Butter only traps heat and makes it worse.
- It won’t cool the burn.
✅ Do this instead: Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for at least 10 minutes.
3. Make Someone Vomit If They Swallow a Harmful Substance
- Vomiting can cause further burns or airway damage if the substance comes back up.
- Airway management comes first.
✅ Call 999 immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Let medical professionals advise next steps.
4. Tilt Your Head Back If You Have a Nosebleed
Probably something your parents told you as a child.
- Tilting your head back makes the blood run down your throat, which can cause nausea and vomiting.
✅ Better option: Sit up, lean forward slightly, and let the blood run out. Use tissue or a container to monitor the amount and colour.
5. Don’t Roll a Person with a Suspected Spinal Injury
This one is not entirely wrong, but incomplete.
- If someone is unconscious but breathing, there’s a risk of vomit blocking their airway.
- Airway always comes first.
✅ If necessary, use a spinal roll to clear the airway and reduce spinal movement. Don’t just leave them flat on their back.
6. Don’t Do Rescue Breaths During CPR
- Some people say “because Vinnie Jones said” (referring to the “Hands-Only CPR” campaign).
- Rescue breaths can be given if you’re willing and know how.
- Official guidelines still allow it if safe to do so.
✅ Use a face shield if available.
❌ During COVID-19, compression-only CPR may be advised.
7. Sit with Your Head Between Your Legs If You Feel Faint
- Sitting like this increases the risk of falling if you lose consciousness.
✅ Better: Lie down and raise your legs slightly. This encourages blood flow to the brain and helps dizziness pass faster.
8. Breathe into a Paper Bag If You Don’t Have Your Inhaler
- This used to be common advice during asthma attacks.
- The problem: inhaling more carbon dioxide makes symptoms worse, not better.
- The “bag method” is psychological, not medical.
✅ Instead, try to breathe steadily and mimic calm breathing. Call for help if needed.
9. Keep a Casualty Awake After a Head Injury
- Head injuries can make people feel tired or heavy.
- Forcing someone to stay awake doesn’t treat the injury.
- The real concern is monitoring their breathing.
✅ Call 999 or 111. Monitor their condition. If they fall asleep, check their breathing regularly.
10. You’ll Get Sued If You Help a Stranger and Make It Worse
- Technically possible, but highly unlikely in reality.
- First aiders are not expected to act like paramedics.
- There’s no law requiring you to help, but imagine the regret if you could have.
✅ As a first aider, do what you can within your training. You can make the difference between life and death.
Keep Calm and Remember Your Training
It’s common to freeze with panic if someone falls ill or has an accident.
But if you’ve been trained in first aid, you can save a life.
- Anyone can call 999 and stay with the casualty.
- First aiders can provide crucial early interventions before professional help arrives.
- The right training gives you the confidence to act.
How many of these myths did you think were true?
👉 Get trained, know the facts, and make a real difference when it matters most.