First aid - good to know
No matter what kind of emergency or situation it is, the most important points to remember are:
- 112 - the emergency number
- Protect yourself!
112 - the emergency number
This number connects you to the local integrated dispatch center and it works across all of Europe! It's free from any phone even if you don't have a landline. You can also place the emergency call from a mobile phone!
The dispatch center will need some information from you. These are known as the W-questions:
- Where did it happen? Give the location as precisely as possible (street, house number, floor, special features such as in a backyard; if outdoors, give markers like distance points on roads, rivers, railway lines, etc.). If possible, position someone to guide the ambulance especially for hard-to-find locations.
- Who is calling? Give your name, your location and a phone number for callbacks.
- What happened? Briefly describe the incident.
- How many people are affected? Who is affected? Say how many people are involved and what type of injuries or emergency there are. For children, give an estimated age.
- Wait for follow-up questions: Don't hang up right away. Wait for follow-up questions from the dispatch center. They can also give you instructions for caring for the patient(s) and guide you through CPR if needed.
Self-protection
Make sure you protect yourself from possible dangers, because an injured helper may no longer be able to help. This includes protecting yourself by using disposable gloves and a mouth-and-nose mask or, for example at a traffic accident, putting on a high-visibility vest and securing the scene. Self-protection also means not putting yourself in danger because of the situation.
Tip: A pair of disposable gloves fits perfectly into the yellow plastic egg from a Kinder Surprise. That way the gloves stay protected and can easily be put in your pocket.
No home remedies!
Another important point:
Please don't use so-called home remedies! There are many supposedly helpful tips going around for example, things people recommend putting on wounds, remedies said to help with suspected stroke or heart attack, what to give someone who has been poisoned, that you should make them vomit, and so on...
Please, please don't do any of that!
Putting substances on wounds (fat, flour and whatever else is suggested) can make the situation worse and cause infections. These materials often have to be painstakingly removed by a doctor before the wound can be properly treated, which is often painful and can enlarge the wound. The same applies to spray-on bandages!
Do not give people in a medical emergency anything to eat or drink, and never force anything into the mouths of someone with impaired consciousness or someone who is unconscious. In cases of confusion, unconsciousness, suspected stroke and similar situations, this is life-threatening because the person may not be able to swallow properly and the airway can become blocked by what was given. That can lead to respiratory arrest. Even with other injuries it can be a bad idea to let the person eat or drink, because they might vomit or because it can complicate further medical care for example if surgery is needed.
If someone has been poisoned by ingesting a toxic substance, do not make them vomit. If they vomit on their own, assist them (protect yourself!) and collect any vomit so the substance can be identified. However, do not induce vomiting, because this can cause a second chemical burn to the esophagus or lead to inhalation of vomit into the airways, which can affect the respiratory organs. If the person is fully conscious, let them sip small amounts of water or tea to dilute the poison. Calling emergency services immediately is mandatory.
Sources:
This article comes from BloodPressureDB – the leading app since 2011 that helps hundreds of thousands of people monitor their blood pressure every day.
Our content is based on carefully researched, evidence-based information and is continuously updated (as of 02/2026).
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
Author Sabine Croci is a certified medical assistant with many years of experience in internal medicine and cardiology practices as well as in outpatient care. Since 2015 she has led the editorial team at BloodPressureDB. With additional qualifications as a paramedic, first responder, and training in various therapy and emergency areas, she provides well-founded, practical, and reliably reviewed information.
