5 first aid gestures to know

When we find ourselves face to face with a person who has suffered an accident or is unwell, we are often very helpless. However, every minute counts and it is vital to intervene very quickly to save the victim’s life. If you are faced with an emergency, here are the 5 first aid gestures to know.

5 first aid gestures that can save a life

Respiratory arrest, fainting, bleeding… Whatever the situation, keep calm and quickly apply these first aid steps.

Check the condition of the victim

First of all, start by asking the victim toperform simple gestures : close or open your eyes, shake your hand… This process will allow you to assess the state of consciousness of the victim.

If the person is conscious but is choking, give him 5 slaps in the back, between the shoulder blades to help him evacuate what obstructs his airways. Check between each slap if the situation has returned to normal. If your gestures remain without effect, perform 5 abdominal compressions by placing your arms around his waist, one hand in a fist between the navel and the sternum, the other over the first.

If nothing changes, ask someone to call help and continue the cycle of 5 slaps followed by 5 compressions until help arrives.

Warning : a choking victim does not cough, speak or breathe. If the victim coughs, do not pat him on the back, he could take a wrong turn and completely obstruct his airways.

Check breathing

If the victim lost consciousness, check his breathing. Tilt his head back and open his mouth to clear his airway. Then check that she is breathing by standing close enough to feel her breath.

Also check to see if his rib cage rises. If victim is breathing, place victim in PLS, otherwise give CPR.

Place the victim in PLS

The PLS (Lateral Safety Position) consists of placing the victim in such a way that clear airways as much as possible to allow good air circulation to the lungs.

Position the person on their side by grabbing their arm and leg and gently rocking them to one side. Then place the arm against his cheek to serve as a “crutch” and prevent the victim from lying on his stomach, but also to prevent possible spinal injuries. Bend her knee to also prevent her from tipping over on her stomach.

Open her mouth by turning her head down to prevent her from choking.

When the victim is in PLS, it is time to call for help, while regularly checking their breathing until help arrives.

Do cardiac massage

If the person is unconscious and not breathing, she’s in cardiac arrest.

Call the emergency services and ask for an automated external defibrillator (AED) to be brought to you.

While waiting for help and the defibrillator, start the massage very quickly with 30 chest compressions then two breaths. Alternate compressions and breaths until help arrives or the victim is breathing again.

Good to know : defibrillators are very easy to use and everyone is allowed to use them. If the installation of these devices is mandatory in establishments open to the public, it is not for businesses. The Labor Code only obliges the employer to provide a pharmacy kit in your company.

However, in the event of an accident, the employer’s responsibility is engaged. To avoid any problem, it is preferable to also equip yourself with DAE as you will find it on the Monpatriot site.Fr.

Call the emergency

When you call help, keep your cool and be as precise as possible to give all the information necessary for rescuers: place and precise address, the cause of the accident or discomfort, if the victim is aware or not, if She breathes … the emergency artist will ask you all the useful questions. Do not hang up first !

To contact emergencies, Three numbers are to be remembered : on the 15th for the SAMU, the 18th for the firefighters and the 112 which is the European emergency number.

To conclude : know the 5 first aid will allow you to be reactive in the face of a victim. However, nothing replaces proper first aid training. Level 1 Civic Prevention and Civic Aid (PSC1) costs around € 60 and is provided by firefighters or the Red Cross. Learning first aid gestures can save lives, think about it !