🏥 First Aid: The Basics

1. Recognizing Life-Threatening Situations

The 3 major dangers to life are:

1. Airway obstruction (person cannot breathe)
2. Cardiac arrest (no pulse)
3. Severe bleeding (life-threatening blood loss)

2. Clearing the Airways

2.1 Unconscious Person

1. Check response: Loudly call "Hello! Are you okay?" and gently shake the shoulders.
2. No response: Call for help (emergency: 112, if phone available)
3. Check breathing: Hold ear over mouth & nose, observe chest (max. 10 seconds)
4. If NO breathing: Begin resuscitation immediately (see below)

2.2 Airway Obstruction by Foreign Object

Adults and children over 1 year:

• Stand behind the person
• Wrap both arms around the upper abdomen
• Place one fist above the navel
• Pull inward and upward sharply (Heimlich maneuver)
• Repeat until the object is expelled

Infants (under 1 year):

• Lay infant face down on your forearm (head lower than body)
• 5 forceful back blows between the shoulder blades
• Then turn over, place 2 fingers on center of chest
• 5 quick compressions (press about 4 cm deep)
• Repeat until breathing is restored

3. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

3.1 Check Before Starting

1. Lay person flat on their back (hard surface!)
2. Tilt head back slightly (lift chin)
3. Check breathing (10 seconds): Look, Listen, Feel
4. Check pulse: 2 fingers on neck (side of throat)

3.2 Chest Compressions (Heart Massage)

3.3 Combining Rescue Breaths + Compressions

Ratio: 30 compressions : 2 rescue breaths

1. 30x chest compressions (approx. 15-18 seconds)
2. 2x rescue breaths (mouth to mouth, 1 second per breath)
3. Repeat without pause
4. ONLY for infants: 15:2 (due to oxygen reserves)

3.4 Compressions Only (if rescue breathing not possible)

If you cannot or will not perform rescue breathing:

• Chest compressions alone are significantly better than nothing!
• 120/min, 5-6 cm depth, don't stop
• Until medical help arrives or person breathes again

4. Severe Bleeding Wounds

4.1 Immediate Measures

1. Apply pressure! Most important. Simply press directly on the wound with your hand.
2. Use sterile or clean cloths (T-shirt, towel, bandage)
3. Keep wound ELEVATED above heart level (reduces blood flow)
4. Apply pressure bandage: Pressure on wound, wrap around, tie firmly

4.2 Arterial Bleeding (Life-Threatening!)

Signs: bright red blood fountain, pulsing rhythmically.

• Direct pressure on wound (first choice)
• If not possible: Pressure point above the wound
• Last resort: Tourniquet (ONLY if death otherwise threatens!)

5. Shock (Life-Threatening)

Signs: Pale, cold skin, weak pulse, thirst, restlessness, altered consciousness.

5.1 Shock Position

• Lay person on their back
• Elevate legs (pillow, bag, rolled clothing)
• Cover for warmth (even in heat!)
• Reassure, don't leave alone
• No fluids! (choking risk if unconscious)

6. Burns

7. Broken Bones

• Open fractures (bone visible): Sterile covering, pressure bandage, don't push back!
• Closed fractures: Immobilize (e.g., tied newspaper as splint)
• Suspected spinal injury: Do NOT move person! Stabilize head.

8. Checklist: First Aid Equipment

• ☐ Sterile wound dressings (various sizes)
• ☐ Triangular bandages (as sling, splint, pressure bandage)
• ☐ Plaster set (waterproof, hypoallergenic)
• ☐ Roll bandage / Leukoplast
• ☐ Disinfectant (e.g., Octenisept)
• ☐ Scissors, tweezers, gloves (latex/nitrile)
• ☐ Emergency blanket (silver/gold foil)
• ☐ Painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• ☐ Antihistamine (cetirizine, for bee stings)
• ☐ Notepad + pen (for symptoms, medications)