Key points
- Say what happened in one or two plain sentences
- Mention alcohol, drugs, poppers and medication, including erection medication
- Say how long the person was restrained, unconscious or short of air
- Mention any object that may still be inside the body
In detail
- Order: what happened, when, what has changed since, what you have done
- Example: 'She was tied standing for 40 minutes, fainted and hit her head. She was out for about a minute and had two glasses of wine'
- The mechanism matters more than the context: pressure on the neck, a fall, electric current, a blow to the head. The reason for the scene does not
- Substances: name everything, including poppers, erection medication and party drugs. Some treatments are dangerous otherwise
- Objects: if something is stuck inside the body, say so clearly
- Let the injured person speak if they can. Paramedics may ask them privately whether they are safe; that is good practice, not an accusation
- Before help arrives: unlock the door, switch on lights, cover the person and clear equipment away
- Paramedics and doctors are bound by confidentiality. Their concern is your health, not your sex life
Warnings
- Leaving things out because of embarrassment risks the wrong treatment
- Do not remove an object stuck in a wound or in the body; leave it to professionals
- Give no food, drink or medication while waiting unless the emergency call handler tells you to
- If a neck or spine injury is possible, move the person only if they are in danger
Resources and next steps
- The emergency call handler, who can guide you through first aid by phone
- A written medical information card for each participant
- Your local emergency number (112 in the EU, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US and Canada)