Culture and society

First aid

Multiple hands press on the chest of a doll, laying on the ground
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Nico has hurt himself. Luckily he is not alone: Max and Tarek get a Erste Hilfe (first aid) kit to help him. They are looking after him and treating his injury, and will take him to the doctor.

In Germany, athletics coaches, teachers and learner-drivers have to take a first aid course and keep it up-to-date. The courses offer basic medical information about how to provide first aid to sick and/or injured people. You learn how to treat a wound, how to stop bleeding, and how to apply a bandage. You also learn life-saving techniques, like how to deal with burns, breathing difficulties and cardiovascular problems.

If there's been an accident, you must call an ambulance on 112 and then look after the injured person until help arrives. That is the law in Germany. You will generally find a medical kit in cars, public buildings and schools.

You can take first aid courses everywhere. Find out about them from places in your local area like the German Red Cross, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund or the Johanniter-Unfallhilfe.