What is a fundamental skill to master in emergency first aid?

The ability to assess breathing is a fundamental skill in emergency first aid because it is a critical indicator of a person's immediate medical status. When someone is in a life-threatening situation, determining whether they are breathing normally or not can inform the rescuer’s next steps and interventions. This skill allows responders to quickly understand the urgency of the situation—if a person is not breathing or their breathing is impaired, it indicates that they may require immediate intervention such as CPR.

While calling for help, bandaging wounds, and performing CPR are all important skills in emergency first aid, assessing breathing is pivotal. It directly influences the course of action taken by first responders. For example, if breathing is absent, prompt CPR is essential to restore the individual's chances of survival, and without assessing this first, any further actions may be misguided. Hence, mastering the ability to assess breathing lays the groundwork for effective first aid response in emergencies.