DVIDS – News – US Army Garrison Wiesbaden trains first responders – Makes the garrison safer!

WIESBADEN, GERMANY – Last September, the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden organized and conducted first aid training in collaboration with the Red Cross Wiesbaden. USAG Wiesbaden trains or refreshes the knowledge of around 200 first responders in around 17 courses every two years.

The German Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that 5% of the local workforce in administrative and commercial companies to which the US Army Garrison Wiesbaden is assigned must be certified as first responders.

“The first aid training consists of a first aid course,” says Hartwig Knorr, security specialist in the garrison security office. To remain a first responder, you must complete a refresher course at least every two years. The costs are even covered by German accident insurance.

The effort is worth it because these first responders are the ones who can provide first aid to accident victims before paramedics or emergency services arrive. Be it a hornet sting at the CDC, a gardener falling off a ladder while trimming trees, or a traffic accident.
How long does the training last and what does it include?

The training consists of a theoretical and a practical part. There are a total of nine teaching units, each lasting 45 minutes. In the practical part, participants learn, among other things:

• how to secure an accident scene
• how to properly make an emergency call
• How to carry out a rescue from a danger area
• Wounds and injuries are treated
• Immediate measures such as the recovery position and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• How to deal with joint injuries, broken bones, hot and cold injuries, burns, chemical burns and poisoning

Overall, this training makes the garrison safer.

And you – do you know what information an emergency call must contain?
• Where – did something happen?
• What happened?
• How many people are involved?
• What – injuries?
• Wait – for any additional questions!