# Factors Influencing Individuals’ Hesitation to Provide First Aid in Emergencies

## TL;DR

Many people hesitate to give first aid in emergencies due to fears and lack of training, despite supporting better education.

## Contribution

Identifies key psychological and social barriers to first aid intervention in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

## Key findings

- Fear of infection and legal consequences are major barriers to providing first aid.
- Most respondents support integrating first aid education into schools and workplaces.
- Only 20% of participants held a formal first aid license despite 53% having received training.

## Abstract

First aid is a life-saving skill, yet many bystanders hesitate to intervene during emergencies due to various psychological, social, and consequential barriers. This cross-sectional study investigated the factors influencing first aid hesitancy among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,124 participants aged 18 and above completed an online questionnaire assessing their demographic profiles, first aid knowledge, experience, and perceived barriers. Results showed that 53% (n= 596) had received first aid training, but only 20% (n= 225) held a formal license. While 71.2% (n= 795) reported low psychological barriers, over half faced moderate consequential barriers, such as fear of legal consequences or causing harm. Key barriers included fear of infection (73%; n= 815), discomfort with public attention (72.6%; n= 810), and hesitation in assisting the opposite sex (45.8%; n= 511). Despite these concerns, 93% (n = 1045) of respondents supported integrating first aid education into schools and workplaces. The findings highlight a gap between awareness and action, emphasizing the need for certified training and public knowledge education to empower individuals to act confidently during emergencies. Addressing these barriers can significantly enhance community preparedness and potentially save lives.