The Russian Ministry of Health has approved guidelines for remote consultation in providing first aid at the scene of an incident before the arrival of emergency medical services.
RIA Novosti reviewed the document, which highlights that many people at the scene of an incident are unsure how to assist the injured. It takes time for an ambulance to arrive, and often the lack of immediate help in the first few minutes is the cause of fatalities.
The guidelines state that the EMS dispatcher is the first link in the process of providing aid to the injured. The dispatcher receives information about the incident and relays it to the ambulance team. The authors of the guidelines believe that the dispatcher can also instruct people at the scene on how to help the injured before medical professionals arrive.
However, this will be possible under two conditions. The callers must give verbal consent to receive consultation, and the surrounding environment must not pose any danger to those willing to assist the injured. If these conditions are met, the dispatcher will relay the information to the ambulance team and provide advice on how to help the person or connect the caller with a relevant specialist. It is emphasized that in such situations, the dispatcher should not request the names or ages of the individuals involved, as every minute is crucial.
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