There is really only one thing you can do wrong when providing first aid in an emergency: do nothing. “Everyone has a duty to help within their capacity in an emergency,” says Professor Bernd Böttiger, Federal Medical Officer for the German Red Cross. Section 323c of the Criminal Code states that failure to provide assistance is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine.
However, when asked to provide first aid, many people are initially unsure and hesitant. The last course may have been years ago, but fortunately, the knowledge has never been needed in that time. In such situations, the heart beats in the throat. However, it is important to overcome the fear of making a mistake. “There is no reason to hesitate in providing first aid,” says Bernd Böttiger. After all, it can save lives.
When a heart attack occurs, every second counts.
For example, in the case of a heart attack, the heart muscle no longer pumps blood throughout the body and can no longer supply the organs with essential oxygen. Those affected lose consciousness, collapse, become unresponsive and cannot breathe. “In such cases, the brain only survives for three to five minutes. During this period, rescue services are rarely able to be on the scene,” says Bernd Böttiger.
Until the experts arrive, the people who hear about the emergency are responsible. As soon as you call 112, you should start chest compressions. The clock is ticking. According to the German Heart Foundation, for every minute a person goes untreated, their chances of survival drop by 10 percent.
Here’s how it works: As a first aider, you kneel next to the patient. Place the heel of your hand on the center of the sternum. The second hand is positioned behind the second hand.
Now, as Böttiger explains, you should press your heels against the center of the chest at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute, about 5 to 6 centimeters deep. Anyone who has ever been tempted to sing the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” at 100 beats per minute is doing it right. If you have another helper on site, you can do this in turns. The only important thing is not to stop until the patient is taken over by a medical professional.
Broken ribs are not uncommon
Chest compressions like these are tough. “You have to use a lot of force to get the blood flowing back to the brain,” Böttiger explains. “Sometimes you can get rib fractures.”
A doctor can reassure someone who is afraid of a sudden fracture. “As painful as a broken rib is, it is usually insignificant compared to the consequences of not getting help,” the doctor says. Without it, the person risks suffering from massive mental damage due to lack of oxygen to the brain. Or, it could be death in just a matter of minutes.
Errors and violations without legal consequences
Whether it’s a broken rib, other injury or a mistake, the first aider has no need to fear any consequences in these cases. Bernd Böttiger explains: “A person who does not take correct first aid measures when he is excited cannot be held responsible later.
And first responders can also get help in an emergency. “The emergency service control center can explain and support chest compressions over the phone,” says Böttiger. He advises against seeking advice online first. “In an emergency, things have to be done quickly and the stress is so high that you can’t watch a video first.”
What everyone can do to prepare for emergencies: Keep up with first aid topics through appropriate courses, etc. “We recommend retraining every two years, because knowledge is rarely used and is forgotten relatively quickly,” says Dr. Böttiger.
