What to do in an emergency?
In emergencies, staying calm and following a systematic approach is vital. The following steps offer simple guidance, regardless of the type of emergency:
1) Secure the scene
Identify dangers, protect yourself, and prevent further accidents (e.g. turn off machines, put on a safety vest, secure the surroundings).
2) Check consciousness and breathing
Speak to the affected person, check their breathing, and monitor vital signs if necessary.
3) Call emergency services (144 in Switzerland)
Provide calm and clear information: Who is calling? Where is the incident? What happened? How many people are injured? Wait for questions.
4) Provide first aid
• Stop bleeding and apply bandages
• Cool and cover burns
• Place unconscious individuals in the recovery position
• Perform chest compressions and rescue breathing if breathing has stopped
• Use shock position if skin is pale, sweating cold, or the person is shivering
5) Provide care until emergency services arrive
Calm the injured person, don’t leave them alone, and continuously monitor their condition.
Why is first aid so important?
Accidents happen everywhere—at the workshop, the workplace, in the kitchen, or on the road. The first minutes after an emergency often determine the outcome. Even simple actions can prevent complications or save lives.
A well-organized first aid kit helps to:
• Stop bleeding
• Cover wounds
• Cool burns
• Secure airways
• Calm and stabilize the injured
• Prepare for emergency services
Typical emergencies and how first aid helps
First aid for bleeding
• Severe bleeding can quickly become life-threatening. Act quickly:
• Apply a sterile compress or wound dressing
• Use a pressure bandage
• Elevate the injured body part
• Monitor blood loss
• Take signs of shock seriously (pale skin, cold sweat)
First aid for burns
Hot liquids, steam, flames, or heated surfaces can cause burns. Important:
• Cool immediately with lukewarm water (not ice-cold)
• Do not apply creams or home remedies
• Cover burns with sterile dressing
• Call emergency services for large burns
First aid for breathing difficulties or cardiac arrest
In severe cases, such as cardiac arrest:
• Check consciousness
• Check breathing
• Call emergency services (144 in Switzerland)
• Perform CPR (30:2 ratio)
• Use a breathing mask or cloth for rescue breaths
An automated external defibrillator (AED) can be life-saving in cases of cardiac arrest. Many businesses now combine AEDs with first aid kits.
What belongs to basic first aid equipment?
To react correctly in an emergency, complete first aid equipment is essential. This includes:
• Dressings, compresses, plasters
• Gauze, triangular bandages, fixation bandages
• Emergency blanket
• Disposable gloves (multiple pairs)
• Scissors, tweezers
• Breathing aid (mask or cloth)
• Disinfectant
• First aid guide or emergency card
For specific areas (e.g. kitchens, workshops, food industry), additional items are recommended: detectable plasters, eye rinses, or instant cold packs.
Overview of first aid products
First aid kits
Contain all important materials clearly organized—ideal for businesses, schools, or construction sites. Models with wall mounts offer fixed placement.
First aid cabinets
Stationary solutions for central locations. Lockable, hygienic, and clearly marked. For larger companies and public facilities.
Travel first aid kits
Compact sets for cars, backpacks, or handbags. Usually equipped with basics like plasters, wound dressings, and disposable gloves—ideal for leisure, travel, and on-the-go use.
Emergency backpacks
Mobile complete solutions for paramedics, construction sites, or fieldwork. Modular, robust, and individually configurable.
Eye wash stations
For immediate rinsing in case of eye injuries caused by dust, chemicals, or foreign bodies. Especially important in workshops, laboratories, and industrial settings. Available as wall-mounted units or portable bottles.
Plasters
Essential for quick wound care. Available in various sizes, shapes, and versions—water-resistant, blood-stopping, or detectable. For first aid kits, dispensers, or individual use.
Rescue blankets
Reflective blankets to retain body heat in cases of shock, hypothermia, or outdoor immobilization. A basic element of every first aid kit.
Fire blankets
Special blankets to extinguish small fires or burning clothing. Especially useful in kitchens, laboratories, and manufacturing areas.
Rescue breathing masks and pocket masks
Devices for hygienic rescue breathing during resuscitation. They protect the helper and make ventilation easier in emergencies.
Cold packs
For initial treatment of bruises, sprains, swelling, or insect bites. Can be activated without refrigeration—ideal for mobile use or workplaces.
Burn gels
For immediate cooling and pain relief in burns and scalds. Support healing and reduce skin damage without drying out the wound.
Legal requirements
In Switzerland, companies are legally required to provide adequate first aid infrastructure. CFSL guidelines and SUVA recommendations define which equipment must be present in which environments. Key factors include:
• Company size
• Type of activity
• Risk potential
• Proximity to medical care or hospitals
The employer is responsible for equipment, maintenance, and training. First aid supplies must be checked regularly and expired items replaced.
Keeping first aid products ready for use
• Check the contents at least every 6 months
• Replace used or expired items
• Store products in a cool, dry, and dust-free environment
• Train employees regularly in basic first aid
• Use refillable systems for easy restocking
FAQ | Frequently asked questions about first aid
What is the difference between first aid and emergency aid?
The terms are often used interchangeably. In practice, "emergency aid" usually refers to immediate help in acute life-threatening situations (e.g. CPR), while "first aid" also includes less dramatic actions like applying a bandage.
How often must a first aid kit be checked?
A visual and expiration check is recommended every six months. In busy workplaces, checks may be needed more frequently.
Which first aid products are sufficient for offices?
A standard first aid kit according to DIN 13157 or a small company kit is usually sufficient. For higher-risk environments (e.g. manual work), extended equipment is advisable.
Buy first aid products online
In the Swiss online shop of Heros Hygiene, we offer a wide range of high-quality products for effective first aid. Benefit from fast delivery from our Swiss warehouse. Our expert staff is happy to advise you.
