First aid in the face of the rampant corona virus: Katrin Jungmeier from the BRK district association Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen explains what to look out for.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - The question arises: Can you provide first aid in pandemic times without putting yourself at risk?
After all, you don't know whether the victim of a traffic accident or a person who has collapsed unconscious on the street is infected with the coronavirus.
"In general, everyone is obliged to provide help - but that does not necessarily mean to lend a hand", explains Katrin Jungmeier, responsible for the education department and the school medical service representative at the district association of the Bavarian Red Cross.
"Namely when I put myself in danger."
You should always be aware that you can get yourself into an emergency situation where you are happy when someone is there to help. "
Katrin Jungmeier from the BRK district association
It is similar with Corona: How you behave, what risk you want to take, is up to you. But: No matter what situation a victim or injured person is in, one thing is always possible: "To seek help by dial 112 and alert the ambulance service. ”A great help for those affected or even injured is not to leave him or her alone.
“In a situation like this, it is often enough to just be there,” says Jungmeier.
Safety vest on, secure the scene of the accident
The 39-year-old can understand the fear of infection.
“But you shouldn't forget that most accidents tend to happen in the home.
Here - in contrast to a traffic accident - you know the people and their surroundings and can better assess any risk of infection. ”In public spaces, mouth and nose covers are generally worn - or at least carried with you.
“You can then ask your counterpart to put on the protection.” If help is required in the event of a traffic accident, self-protection is paramount.
"Safety vest on, secure the scene of the accident - after all, you are standing in the middle of the scene of the accident," explains Jungmeier.
"Then the injured will be taken care of."
If a person actually needs to be resuscitated, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation can be avoided for the time being.
Research has shown that heart pressure massage is more important in order to maintain the circulation in the body and to ensure that the oxygen in the blood reaches the organs.
Otherwise, masks or foils with a non-return valve reduce the risk of infection because they no longer have direct contact with the respiratory recipient.
"In an emergency, a piece of cloth over the person's mouth and nose also helps to protect himself from aerosols."
Anyone can initiate a chest compressions
The more important chest compressions, "anyone can initiate", says the experienced department head.
Because: If nothing is done in the event of a cardiovascular arrest, the rescue workers also have less chance of achieving something for the patient.
They usually only come after ten minutes and during this time the first aider is an important link in the rescue chain.
Despite all the fear of contracting the virus - one thing should not be forgotten: “Besides Corona there are many other infectious diseases such as measles, rubella and hepatitis.
Often you don't even think about that and about the possibility of being infected here. ”If you protect yourself with gloves and a mouth and nose cover, the risk of infection is minimized.
"Not every injured person has Corona or another contagious disease," emphasizes Jungmeier.
“You should always be aware that you can get into an emergency yourself, where you are happy when someone is there to help.” And: “The only thing you can do wrong is not to do anything. "(Sh)
Also read: Helicopters in formation flight over the district - that's behind it.
