First aid refers to the initial measures taken in medical emergencies that are not necessarily life-threatening.
What is first aid?
Various types of dressings used for first aid. Click to enlarge. Download here to print. Life-sustaining first aid in the event of an accident or illness consists of the application of previously learned techniques that prevent the condition from worsening until it is treated by medical professionals. These include resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the event of cessation of breathing. Stabilization in the case of bone fractures and, in particular, the prevention of permanent damage in the case of spinal injuries are also among the emergency measures that can be learned. In addition, first aid provides the rescuer with knowledge in responding to anaphylactic shock and the care of severe injuries with blood loss. First aid in all other cases consists of initial care for less severe symptoms of illness and injuries for which the patient should seek prompt medical attention.
Function and use
First aid for serious accidents may require the application of several first aid measures. If the injured person has a shock that leads to cardiac arrest, cardiac massage is one of the most important techniques of resuscitation by first aid. During this procedure, the first aider places his or her interlaced hands on the sternum and moves the chest by applying steady pressure movements as first aid. The pumping function of the heart is to be stimulated in this way. A second helper can alternately supply the injured person with breathing air through the nose as first aid. Bone fractures are stabilized by stable splints during first aid. First aid does not include the task of setting 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 shifting more and thus seriously injuring the spinal cord. Bleeding is stopped by first aid with tourniquets or tying off the afferent artery to prevent shock due to excessive blood loss. If no direct initial measures can be taken by first aid according to the type of injury or illness, first aid consists of placing the affected person in the recovery position. This prevents him from choking on his own vomit. First aid also consists of securing the victim until medical assistance is available. In addition to raising the alarm via the emergency call, an injured person is prevented from walking around the scene of an accident and thereby putting himself in danger by holding him down, if necessary. He is kept warm with suitable blankets and jackets as first aid, since hypothermia can occur in a state of shock. Open wounds should be covered by first aid to make infection more difficult. For burn injuries, first aid consists of measures to cool, while a chemical burn is neutralized by first aid if possible, or at least the corrosive liquid is diluted.
Dangers of improper first aid
First aid can save lives, but it carries the risk of worsening the injured person’s condition if applied incorrectly. One of the reasons is that refresher training is not mandatory, and in an emergency the correct measures are not always present. In cardiac massage, one of the greatest dangers is to cause rib fractures by applying too much pressure, which injures the lungs. Cutting off the blood supply in the case of heavily bleeding wounds causes damage to the affected tissue in the long run, and even death of the limb. However, the person providing first aid is not liable even for these unintentional consequential damages. The legal obligation to provide first aid in an emergency also protects the first aider from consequences. Of course, there are also health risks for the first aider. Inadequately secured accident sites can result in the first aider also being injured while still providing first aid due to the carelessness of third parties. When giving first aid, contact with other people’s blood should be avoided as far as possible by wearing protective gloves because of the risk of infection. First aid must always be weighed against the risk to oneself and, if the risk to oneself is too high, must be discontinued or omitted.
