Emergency
Here we present the symptoms of some possible cardiovascular emergencies.
In the first aid section we recall the initial measures. Most people will have taken a first aid course at some point when getting their driver's license. For many, though, that was years ago and much of it has been forgotten. Some only link this knowledge to traffic accidents. It's often not really appreciated that in everyday life it's just as likely and even much more common to need to provide help. Most emergencies occur in a private setting. The person affected is not an anonymous stranger but a partner, neighbor, friend maybe your own parents or children, or even yourself. People are all too ready to close their eyes to the possibility that this could happen. And they 'forget' to refresh their first aid training regularly, which is recommended every two to three years.
To avoid being helpless and unable to help in an emergency, we'll refresh some first aid measures.
Important: This does not replace taking a refresher first aid course!
It's just as important not to be afraid to help.
- Take precautions to protect yourself! In addition to the disposable gloves included in every first aid kit, there are, for example, mouth-to-mask devices that reduce the hesitation to cover another person's mouth or nose with your own. These are available from pharmacies, where you can also get advice on them.
- Don't refrain from helping because you're afraid of doing something wrong or because you're afraid of legal consequences. As long as you act in good faith, do not commit gross negligence, and do not intentionally harm the injured person, you have nothing to fear. However, failing to provide assistance is a criminal offense (PDF: Legal issues of first aid provided by first responders of the GUV)!
- Don't be afraid of embarrassing yourself! Unfortunately, the willingness to help decreases as the number of potential helpers present increases. It's far too easy to justify inaction with thoughts like: 'Why should I be the one to help? There are so many others here.' Or: 'If no one does anything, it can't be that bad.' Ignore those thoughts. Be brave! Even if everyone else just watches: be the person who steps forward, helps, and possibly saves a life!
Source:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based data and is continuously updated (as of 06/2024).
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a qualified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care, and has led BloodPressureDB's specialist editorial team since 2015. Thanks to her extensive additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder and in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides solid, practical and reliably reviewed information.
