On the occasion of World First Aid Day 2025, the Red Cross alert: “More than half of French people declare that they know how to know the first aid gestures” while “Saving a life is within everyone’s reach and knowing a few simple gestures is enough to make the difference“.
French insufficiently trained in emergency gestures
This lack of training is all the more glaring while heat waves, floods and fires have multiplied this summer. And yet, only 20 % of the inhabitants say they are ready to react in the event of a crisis.
“”Faced with this observation, the French Red Cross sets an ambitious CAP: that 80 % of the population is trained in the gestures that save. Because knowing how to react effectively should not be an exception, but a reflex shared by all“.
But beyond the lack of training, certain received ideas persist and can be dangerous. Dr. Gérald Kierzek details the gestures to ban absolutely and the right reflexes to adopt in an emergency.
Do not move a road accident victim
“”You should never move a road accident victim, unless his life is in immediate danger. Move a person with a possible spine lesion can worsen their injuries. Good practice is to secure the place of the accident and wait for professional aid“Explains Dr. Kierzek.
Do not lift a fractured member
“”Unlike popular belief, a fractured member should not be raised or attached to a hard object. This can worsen the fracture and cause more pain“Underlines the expert.
Do not retain the language of a convulse person
“”It is a dangerous and useless myth and you risk being bitten. It is anatomically impossible to swallow your language. Trying to maintain the language of a person in convulsion may especially make you bit out and injure the victim. Good practice is to keep dangerous objects away, call help and place the person in lateral safety position once the convulsions are completed“says the emergency room.
Do not apply butter on a burn
“”Applying butter, oil or any other fatty substance to a burn is an error. This can worsen the burn and increase the risk of infection. However, it is recommended to cool the wound by pouring temperate water into the burned area for about 20 minutes“, Advises Dr. Kierzek.
Do not drink milk and do not vomit after ingestion of a toxic
“”It is a dangerous myth because to vomit someone, or get vomited, will cause damage to the return of the product which has already done lesions by being swallowed. For its part, milk does not neutralize the burn and will hinder medical intervention. Good practice is to prevent help but above all to avoid ingestion of toxic products, by securing them, out of reach of children“, warns the doctor.
Do not favor mouth-massage word of mouth
“”In case of cardiac arrest, cardiac massage is priority. If you are not trained or if you are reluctant to practice word of mouth, focus on cardiac massage while waiting for the arrival of help. It is the massage that oxygenates the brain“Said Dr. Kierzek.
Do not do a witch immediately in the event of hemorrhage
“”The tourniquet is an exceptional measure which should only be used in the last resort. In most cases, direct compression of the wound is sufficient to stop bleeding“Concludes Dr. Kierzek.
Different organizations provide first aid training certificates (PSC1 for level 1 Civic Prevention and Civic Rescue), which makes it possible to obtain the a diploma of a rescuer. Discover the list on the public service website.