First aid in accidents
If someone is in distress, you must above all not panic yourself. In many cases you can easily provide help to prevent worse. “That’s why we want to make people self-reliant. Ensure that they dare to help.” That’s what the Red Cross itself says about first aid. In this article I discuss what the Red Cross – after all the expert on the subject – considers important when it comes to first aid.
Being prepared: The right first aid equipment
The Red Cross emphasises that everyone should have a well-equipped first aid kit at home. This kit is essential for treating minor injuries immediately and bridging more serious situations until professional help arrives.
What belongs in a complete first aid kit?
A complete first aid kit contains, according to the Red Cross, at minimum:
- Different types of plasters and wound dressings
- Sterile compresses and quick bandage
- Disinfectant for wounds
- Bandage scissors and tweezers
- Gloves for hygienic care provision
- Triangular bandage or sling
- Emergency blanket (isolation blanket) – read more about this here
It is important to regularly check your first aid kit for completeness and expiry dates of the products
The ideal first aid kit
We selected four different complete first aid kits, each with their own strong points.
- An extensive first aid kit for at home
- A compact first aid kit for on the go or to keep in your car
- A smaller variant that is suitable for camping trips or in your rucksack
- A waterproof first aid kit
The four steps of the Red Cross: The basis of effective first aid
In emergency situations it is important to remain calm and act systematically. The Red Cross has developed a clear four-step plan for this that anyone can follow. This step-by-step plan forms the backbone of every effective first aid provision.
If someone gets injured or suddenly becomes ill, it is important to act quickly but thoughtfully. I myself once experienced how important a structured approach is when a walker stumbled in my presence. By calmly following these steps, I was able to provide effective help.
Step 1: Ensure safety
Before you help someone, you must always ensure that the situation is safe. This applies in the first place to yourself and to the victim, but also to any bystanders. An unsafe situation can indeed lead to more victims.
Check, for example, whether there are dangerous factors such as electrical wires, leaking gas, fire or traffic. Move the victim to a safe place if necessary, but only if it is really necessary and you can do this safely.
Step 2: Assess the victim’s condition
Once the situation is safe, you assess the victim’s condition. The Red Cross advises three important checks here:
- Check for consciousness: Speak to the casualty and gently shake their shoulders
- Open the airway: Gently tilt the head back and lift the chin
- Check for breathing: Look, listen and feel for 10 seconds
This assessment helps you determine whether there is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate action.
Step 3: Consult specialist help
Do not hesitate to call in professional help if necessary. Call 112 (in Belgium and the Netherlands) for urgent medical help. Be clear about:
- Where the incident has taken place (exact location)
- What has happened (type of accident or medical problem)
- Who is involved (number of casualties and their condition)
Always follow the instructions from the control room and only hang up when they indicate that the call can be ended. Stay calm on the telephone and clearly explain what is going on.
Step 4: Provide further first aid
After you have called in professional help, you continue to provide first aid until it arrives. Follow the specific first aid guidelines for the situation in which the victim finds themselves.
Stay with the victim and reassure him or her. Continuously monitor the condition and be ready to intervene if the situation changes.
Essential first aid techniques for common situations
The Red Cross offers guidance for many different emergency situations. Here follow some essential techniques that everyone should know. On their website you will also find information about courses you can take to learn these techniques. The SAS Survival Handbook also teaches you useful first aid techniques.
Resuscitation and AED use
In a cardiac arrest, acting quickly is crucial. Begin immediately with chest compressions (30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths) and have someone fetch an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) if available.
The Red Cross emphasises that every week approximately 300 people outside hospital suffer a cardiac arrest. The survival rate increases significantly if cardiac massage is started within 6 minutes and an AED is used.
Watch here the video from Red Cross-Flanders about resuscitation.
Choking and suffocation
In choking where someone can no longer talk, cough or breathe, you apply the Heimlich manoeuvre. Stand behind the victim, place your fist between navel and breastbone and give quick thrusts inwards and upwards.
With children you adapt the technique according to their age and size. For babies, back blows and chest compressions are recommended instead of abdominal thrusts.
Severe bleeding
In severe bleeding it is important to apply pressure to the wound immediately. Use a clean cloth or bandage and press firmly. Maintain the pressure until professional help arrives. If a limb is involved, keep it elevated to reduce the bleeding. Only use a tourniquet if you are trained in this and there are no other options.
The first aid app: Knowledge always within reach
Both the Dutch and the Flemish Red Cross offer handy first aid apps that can be downloaded for free. These apps contain instructions for more than 80 common emergency situations. The apps provide step-by-step guidance in providing first aid and contain illustrations and videos that clarify the techniques. In life-threatening situations they even offer spoken instructions, so that you have your hands free for providing help.
- Find the Red Cross first aid app here
First aid training: The key to confidence
Whilst apps and manuals are valuable, the Red Cross emphasises that there is nothing better than practical training. During first aid courses you not only learn the techniques, but you also practise them under supervision, which gives you the confidence to act in real emergency situations.
Different courses for different needs
The Red Cross offers different types of first aid courses:
- Basic first aid courses for beginners
- Comprehensive first aid courses including resuscitation
- Specific courses focused on babies and children
- Refresher courses for those who wish to update their knowledge
Some courses combine online theory with practical sessions, making them flexible to take.
Knowledge that saves lives
Knowing and being able to apply first aid is a skill that everyone should master. The four steps of the Red Cross form a simple but effective framework that helps you to act in a structured and calm manner in emergency situations.
By taking first aid courses, downloading the first aid app and purchasing a complete first aid kit, you are well prepared to provide help when needed. In crisis situations this preparation can make the difference between life and death.
Self-reliance begins with knowledge – and with the tools of the Red Cross you have that knowledge always within reach.