The chain of survival
Everything in the first aid course is built on one image: the chain of survival. Every link must hold, otherwise the chain breaks. The first three links are you as the first responder – and this is often where survival is decided.
The first three links are up to you.
Protect yourself: Look – Think – Act
Before you intervene, get an overview within a few seconds: what happened? What dangers are there for me, the casualties and others? What needs to be done? Your own safety always comes first.
At a traffic accident this means: hazard lights on, put on a safety vest, place the warning triangle at least 50 m (100 m on the motorway) before the scene and warn others. Watch out for moving traffic, leaking fuel, fire or electricity. Only once the scene is secured do you tend to the injured person.
Making the emergency call correctly
Call early – better once too often than too late. In a medical emergency you dial 144.
On the phone, calmly answer the key questions:
- Where did it happen?
- What happened?
- How many people are affected?
- Which injuries or symptoms?
- Wait – never hang up first, the dispatch centre ends the call.
The duty to assist
In Switzerland, helping is not optional but a duty. Under Article 128 of the Criminal Code there is a legal duty to assist – anyone who fails to give reasonable help to a person in mortal danger is liable to prosecution. "Reasonable" means: within your means and without seriously endangering yourself. Even making an emergency call meets the minimum. Anyone who helps to the best of their knowledge need not fear legal consequences – doing nothing is the real risk.