Chest pain is one of those symptoms that can feel confusing and sometimes misleading. It might look like indigestion, anxiety, or something mild… or it could be something far more serious.
In this Trainer’s Corner video, Rosie and Steve walk through a realistic workplace scenario where someone begins to feel unwell, experiencing chest pain, nausea, and discomfort spreading to the arm and jaw.
Why chest pain is tricky
Chest pain doesn’t always look the same for everyone. Some people feel pain in the centre of the chest, while others experience discomfort in the arm, jaw, back, or upper body. It can come on suddenly and feel very different from anything they’ve felt before.
A common phrase often heard in real emergencies is a ‘sense of impending doom’ – where someone just knows something isn’t right.
What a first aider should do
As Rosie explains in the video, it’s not a first aider’s role to diagnose whether someone is having a heart attack, indigestion, or a panic attack.
Instead, the priority is to:
-
Treat for the worst-case scenario
-
Help the casualty into a comfortable seated position
-
Encourage slow, steady breathing
-
Call an ambulance if symptoms are serious, sudden, or unusual
-
Stay calm and provide reassurance while help is on the way
Early action and reassurance can help prevent the situation from getting worse.
Explore more with Onelife
If you’d like to learn these skills in person, take a look at our range of first aid courses, designed to build confidence and practical understanding in real-life situations. If you are not sure which course might be right for you or your team, get in touch, we’re always happy to have a chat and help guide you.
If you found this Trainer’s Corner helpful, you can explore our full library of short first aid videos on our website or YouTube channel. We also share practical advice on our In Case of Emergency podcast, covering everyday first aid scenarios.
