The course Theory, Techniques, and Didactics of First Aid aims to provide students with the theoretical and practical skills needed to address emergency situations in both sports and non-sports settings. Through lectures, practical exercises, and simulations, students will acquire essential first aid skills, contributing to the preservation of life in critical contexts.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental principles of first aid and correctly apply life-saving maneuvers in emergency situations.
• Recognize major medical and traumatic emergencies and implement appropriate interventions until specialized assistance arrives.
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) correctly in accordance with international guidelines.
• Safely use an automated external defibrillator (AED), understanding operational procedures and early defibrillation protocols.
• Respond to airway obstructions (choking) in both adults and children, performing proper dislodgment maneuvers.
• Manage sports-related trauma and injuries, such as fractures, sprains, spinal injuries, and hemorrhages, using specific immobilization and first aid techniques.
• Collaborate effectively in emergency situations, adopting a safe and coordinated approach within a rescue team.
• Understand current Italian legislation on first aid and BLSD, and operate in compliance with legal requirements for lay responders.

MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO FIRST AID AND SAFETY

Lecture:

• Introduction to the course, objectives, and structure.
• Definition of first aid.
• The chain of survival.
• The role of the lay responder.
• Regulations on first aid and BLSD (Italian legislation).

Practical Activities:

• Demonstration and explanation of the importance of the safety check and rescuer safety.
• Creation of workgroups to simulate emergency service calls.

MODULE 2: SCENE AND CASUALTY ASSESSMENT

Lecture:

• The importance of approaching the scene.
• Primary assessment (ABC: airway, breathing, circulation).
• Secondary assessment (monitoring the victim’s condition).
• Placing the victim in the recovery position.

Practical Activities:

• Exercises on how to approach a safe scene.
• Practical simulation of casualty assessment in various conditions (conscious, unconscious).
• Hands-on practice of the recovery position.

MODULE 3: LIFE-SAVING MANEUVERS AND ADULT BLSD

Lecture:

• Basic concepts of BLSD.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults.
• Use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
• Intervention in cases of choking.

Practical Activities:

• Hands-on CPR training (with mannequins).
• Proper use of the AED (simulations).
• Airway obstruction removal techniques.

MODULE 4: PEDIATRIC BLSD

Lecture:

• Anatomical and physiological differences between adults, children, and infants.
• CPR for children and infants.
• Use of the AED in children.

MODULE 5: COMMON MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Lecture:

• Respiratory emergencies: asthma, anaphylaxis, upper airway obstruction.
• Cardiovascular emergencies: heart attack, stroke.
• Epilepsy, hypoglycemia, and anaphylactic shock.

Practical Activities:

• Simulations of managing medical emergencies.
• Workgroup activities to solve complex scenarios.

MODULE 6: FINAL GROUP SIMULATIONS

Practical Simulations:

• Simulated full-scale scenarios where students apply all the knowledge and skills acquired.
• Student groups manage complex emergencies under the teacher’s supervision.

Upon completion of the First Aid and BLSD course, students of the Faculty of Sport Sciences will be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding

Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the theoretical and practical foundations of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), including the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). They will understand the main medical and traumatic emergencies and the safety procedures required to intervene effectively in critical situations.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding

Students will be capable of practically applying first aid techniques in real or simulated emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, choking, and sports injuries. They will also be able to use the AED, perform CPR on adults, children, and infants, immobilize injuries, and manage trauma scenarios effectively.

Autonomy of Judgment

Students will develop the ability to rapidly assess an emergency scene and make critical decisions, prioritizing interventions. They will understand when and how to properly activate emergency medical services and will recognize their own limits, acting responsibly and safely within first aid protocols.

Communication Skills

Students will acquire effective communication skills for emergency situations, interacting with victims and other rescuers. They will be able to coordinate rescue activities within a team, providing clear and concise instructions while maintaining composure under pressure. Additionally, they will be adept at communicating with emergency services when requesting intervention.

Learning Skills

Students will develop the ability to continuously update their first aid and BLSD skills by engaging with the latest guidelines and best practices in the field. They will be able to independently learn new procedures and techniques to enhance their effectiveness as first responders.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Teaching will be delivered through theoretical lectures and practical exercises on mannequins.

Innovative teaching methods

Peer Teaching:
Students will participate in peer teaching sessions, working in small groups and alternating in the role of instructor.

Gamification:
Game-based elements will be incorporated, including point-based challenges using mannequins with visual feedback. These will assess the accurate execution of various aspects of CPR (depth, recoil, rhythm, pauses, etc.).

Attendance

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended, though not mandatory, to fully achieve the course’s learning objectives.

Students are considered "attending" if they complete at least 50% of the total hours required for the course.

Assessment

Written Exam:
Multiple-choice and/or True/False questions covering the topics addressed in the course.

Students who attend at least three practical lessons on three separate teaching days will have the opportunity to be assessed on the practical skills acquired.

This assessment will grant additional points, ranging from 1 to 5, which will be added to the score obtained in the written exam.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Teaching will be delivered through theoretical lectures.
Students who do not attend practical exercises will be able to view explanatory videos demonstrating the practical application of first aid and BLSD via links available on the Blended platform, along with slides, if provided.

Attendance

Attendance at lectures is highly recommended, though not mandatory, to fully achieve the course’s learning objectives.

Students are considered "attending" if they complete at least 50% of the total hours required for the course.

Assessment

Written Exam:
Multiple-choice and/or True/False questions covering the topics addressed in the course.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.