First Aid - Important to Know
No matter what emergency and what situation it is - the most important points you need to remember are:
- 112 - the emergency number
- Self-Protection!
112 - the emergency number
With this number, you can reach the local integrated control center - and that throughout Europe! Free of charge from any phone - even if you don't have a landline. It is also possible to make the emergency call with a mobile phone!
The control center will need some information from you. These are known as W-questions:
- Where has something happened? Provide the location of the incident as accurately as possible (street, house number, floor, special features such as in the backyard, outdoors for example distance indications on roads, rivers, railway lines, and the like). If possible, position a helper to guide the rescue service - especially in poorly identifiable locations.
- Who is calling? State your name, your location, and your phone number for follow-up questions.
- What has happened? Briefly describe the event.
- How many affected? Who is affected? Indicate how many people are affected and what kind of injuries or emergencies are present. For children, provide the estimated age.
- Wait for follow-up questions: Do not hang up immediately. Wait for follow-up questions from the control center. They can also give you instructions on how to care for the affected person(s) and guide you in performing necessary CPR.
Self-Protection
Make sure to protect yourself from potential dangers, as an injured helper may not be able to provide assistance. This includes protecting yourself by using disposable gloves and a mouth-nose mask or, for example, wearing a safety vest and securing the accident site in the event of a traffic accident. Self-protection also means that you do not put yourself in danger based on the situation.
Tip: A pair of disposable gloves fits perfectly into the yellow plastic egg from a Kinder Surprise. This way, the gloves are protected and can be easily stored in a bag.
No Home Remedies!
Another important point:
Please do not use so-called home remedies! Many seemingly good advice circulates - for example, what to apply to wounds, what helps people suspected of having a stroke, heart attack, and so on, what to give to someone in case of poisoning, that they should be made to vomit, and so on...
Please, please stay away from that!
Things applied to wounds (fat, flour, and whatever else is recommended) can worsen the situation and cause infections. These materials must be painstakingly removed by a doctor for proper treatment of the wound, which is often painful and enlarges the wound. This also applies to spray plasters!
Do not give anything to eat or drink to people in a medical emergency, and do not give anything to those who are conscious but confused or unconscious. In cases of confusion, unconsciousness, a possible stroke, and the like, this is life-threatening, as the affected person may not be able to swallow properly, and the airways can be blocked by what is administered. This can lead to respiratory arrest. However, even with other injuries, it may be unfavorable to let the affected person eat or drink, as they may vomit or it may complicate further medical treatment - for example, a potentially necessary operation.
If someone has been poisoned by ingesting toxic substances, they should not be made to vomit. If they feel the need to vomit, assistance should be provided (observe self-protection!) and the vomit should be secured to determine what substance it is. However, do not induce vomiting, as this may lead to a second burning of the esophagus or aspiration of the vomit, which can affect the respiratory organs. If the affected person is fully conscious, they should be allowed to drink water or tea in small sips to dilute the poisoning. Immediately calling for emergency help is mandatory.
Sources:
By Sabine Croci.
This article is medically reviewed. Last updated (06/2024).
Information on the website and within the app cannot replace a consultation with a doctor, but can certainly complement it.
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