First aid measures in emergencies.: Prospective observational study of responses of the air rescue helicopter Christoph 1

First aid performed by lay persons at the place of emergency represents an absolutely essential part in the chain of survival. This study evaluates which first aid measures were actually realized in case of emergency before the arrival of the air rescue service. The study-concept was orientated on the advices of the Utstein style. 431 responses of the air rescue helicopter "Christoph 1" were documented in a prospective manner to show if and how many lay persons were present, which qualifications they had, which measures were realized and who initiated the emergency call. Thereby it could be shown that especially measures of basic life support after cardiac arrest, the correct positioning of the patient, the preservation of body temperature and appliance of sterile wound dressings were not or insufficiently realized. Lay persons were first of all overcharged by severe injuries and serious internal diseases. Frequently people from the social network recognized the emergency situation and initiated the alarming phone call. Only in 53% of all cases the primary emergency call was addressed directly to the emergency dispatch center. By the growing qualification of lay persons the rate of appropriate performed measures increased, but even after a finished course in life support this rate reached only 62,5%. Thereby the present educational concepts of training courses in first aid proved to be insufficient further on. An earlier start of the training and its regular repetition should be demanded as well as the sensitization for emergencies in the field of internal medicine.