First aid

First aid refers to the initial measures in medical emergencies that do not necessarily have to be life-threatening.

What is first aid?

Life sustaining First aid in the case of accidents or illnesses consists of the application of previously learned techniques, which prevent the condition from deteriorating until treatment by medical professionals. These include resuscitation in cardiac arrest and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when breathing is stopped.

Stabilization in the case of broken bones and, in particular, the prevention of permanent damage in the event of spinal injuries are among the emergency measures that can be learned. In addition, first aid teaches the rescuer how to respond to anaphylactic shock and how to treat severe injuries with blood loss.

In all other cases, first aid consists of first aid for less serious symptoms and injuries, for which the patient should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Function & application

First aid several first aid measures may be necessary in the event of severe accidents. If the injured person is in shock that leads to cardiac arrest, cardiac massage is one of the most important first aid techniques for resuscitation. The first aider places his hands, folded one on top of the other, on the breastbone and moves the chest using even pressure movements as first aid.

The pumping function of the heart should be stimulated in this way. A second helper can alternately supply the injured person with air through the nose as first aid. During first aid, broken bones are stabilized by stable splints. First aid does not include the task of straightening the bones at the same time. This is especially true if there is an injury to the cervical spine.

First aiders only ensure that the injured person does not move the cervical spine any further, in order to prevent the vertebrae from slipping and thus serious injury to the spinal cord. Bleeding is stopped by first aid with pressures or tying of the supplying artery in order to avoid shock from excessive blood loss.If first aid cannot take direct measures according to the type of injury or illness, first aid consists of putting the person in a stable position on their side.

This will prevent him from choking on his own vomit. First aid continues to consist of securing the victim until medical help is available. In addition to being alerted via the emergency call, an injured person is prevented, if necessary, by holding on from walking around an accident site and thereby putting himself in danger.

As first aid, he is kept warm with suitable blankets and jackets, as hypothermia can occur in a state of shock. Open wounds should be covered with first aid to make infection more difficult. For burn injuries, first aid consists of cooling measures, while first aid neutralizes chemical burns as far as possible, or at least dilutes the corrosive liquid.

Dangers of improper first aid

First aid can save lives, but carries the risk of worsening the injured person's condition if used incorrectly. One of the reasons is that refreshing knowledge is not compulsory and the right measures are not always available in an emergency.

With heart massage, one of the greatest dangers of having too much pressure is causing broken ribs that injure the lungs. The interruption of the blood supply in severely bleeding wounds causes permanent damage to the affected tissue and even death of the limb. The person who provides first aid is not liable for this unintentional consequential damage either.

The legal obligation to provide first aid in an emergency also protects the first aider from the consequences. There are of course health risks for the first aider as well. Inadequately secured accident sites can lead to the fact that he is also injured by the inattention of third parties while he is providing first aid.

When first aid is provided, contact with foreign blood should be avoided as much as possible by wearing protective gloves because of the risk of infection. First aid must always be weighed against your own risk and, if there is too high a risk to yourself, either discontinue or refrain from doing so.