First aid errors – when false knowledge can become a threat

One thing is clear - if an accident or injury occurs, outside help is often the only chance for those involved to escape the situation safely and in time, or to receive any help at all. First aid is taught in various courses, such as when you get your driver's license, but the act of helping itself is more of a function linked to human nature that often takes place automatically. The majority of the population wants to help out of this biological drive and is ready to stand by those seeking help in dangerous situations. But regardless of the general willingness - how many of these daring helpers are actually able to provide proper and safe first aid? First aid errors are usually constant and persistent among the general population and become a serious problem when every single second counts. WOLFGANGS clears up precisely this half-knowledge and shows you what really matters in an emergency.

Statistics and Truth on a Collision Course

If you look at the statistics regarding first aid errors, you would not believe that this problem even exists in Germany. A Forsa survey from 2016, which was carried out for the German Insurance Association, is particularly revealing in this regard. Around 53 percent of all participants surveyed would have no doubts about being able to provide high-quality first aid in a dangerous situation.

This interim conclusion sounds positive at first, but if you consider that the last course attended by a considerable number of people was more than 10 years ago, this evaluation takes on a bitter aftertaste. To be honest - can you still remember everything that was presented to you at school/university/seminars 10 years ago?

First aid mistake number 1: incorrect help has criminal consequences

This misconception is widespread and contains no truth at all - quite the opposite! If you deliberately fail to provide first aid at the scene of an accident, this can result in criminal consequences . This means that you must at least do what is in your power. Even if you only feel able to call the emergency services with your phone, you have already done a lot to ensure that the person affected can be helped. Every single rescue measure can be crucial, so do not be afraid and take action in such a situation!

First aid mistake number 2: start providing aid immediately

Safety at the scene of the accident is the highest priority, not first aid measures. In such a situation, the " protect-report-help " approach is always a good guide. These three keywords, in exactly this order, provide the appropriate behavior at the scene of the accident.

Since accident sites are often very wild, confusing and chaotic, it is important not to endanger your own health or that of other participants or even make the situation worse. Before first aid is administered to the injured person , it begins by securing the accident site. We have already discussed in detail what needs to be taken into account in an emergency situation in a previous article .

First aid mistake number 3: Resuscitation can only be effective mouth-to-mouth

Clearly wrong. Although mouth-to-mouth is part of the resuscitation process, CPR is much more important. The chances of survival can increase dramatically with well-executed CPR, so it can be said that this part of the rescue process can play an extremely central and important role.

The pressure exerted maintains blood circulation so that all important organs can continue to be supplied. Ventilation should only be carried out after around 3 minutes at the latest, as this is the only way to ensure that the blood is supplied with sufficient oxygen.

As already discussed in the above point " helping incorrectly ", you don't have to be afraid of making a mistake when resuscitating with CPR. Even a mediocre execution is better for the person seeking help than receiving no help at all. Make sure that you perform the pressure movement on the injured person at regular intervals, around 100-120 times a minute. You can orient yourself very well in the middle of the sternum.

First aid mistake number 4: A motorcyclist’s helmet must not be removed

Mistake number 4 presented in this article is probably one of the most persistent and at the same time a very dangerous one. The helmet of an injured motorcyclist should definitely be removed if he is no longer responsive. In such a situation there is an increased risk that the person concerned will choke on his vomit and the helmet will act like a trap at that moment. Even if there is a minimal risk that taking off the helmet could lead to paralysis later on, this risk is relatively low.

If there are two helpers at the scene of the accident, the first aid measure should definitely be carried out by two people. While one person holds and supports the injured person's cervical spine and head, the other helper can slowly and carefully remove the helmet.