Research
Research overview
There is plenty of first-aid advice around: in videos, group chats, and stories from grandparents and friends. Some of it matches current guidelines, some is out of date, and some was a myth from the start and can do harm. Here we explain where reliable recommendations come from, why they change from time to time, and how to check a piece of advice yourself before passing it on.
Good first-aid advice is simple, cautious and always starts with calling an ambulance. If a tip promises a miracle, that is a reason to be wary.
Where recommendations come from
| Source | What it is | How often it is updated |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Federal Law on the Fundamentals of Health Protection | Defines what first aid is and who may give it | Changes when lawmakers pass amendments |
| Russian first-aid regulations | An order of the Russian Ministry of Health listing conditions and actions | Revised when approaches change; the current one has applied since 1 September 2024 |
| European Resuscitation Council guidelines | A summary of scientific evidence on resuscitation and first aid | Published in new editions as evidence accumulates |
| In-person course programmes | Teaching material based on the documents in force | Updated after the regulations and guidelines change |
| Online articles and videos | Retellings of varying quality, sometimes out of date | As often as anyone likes, with no checks at all |
| Tips from friends | Personal experience and family traditions | Never updated, passed on for years |
How to check first-aid advice found online
See who the author is
Does it say who wrote the material and what it is based on? An anonymous post with a loud headline deserves less trust than a text that cites a document.
Look for a mention of calling for help
Reliable advice almost always starts with safety and a call to 112 or your local emergency number. If there is not a word about calling for help, the advice is incomplete.
Compare it with the official rules
In Russia the first-aid regulations are approved by an order of the Ministry of Health; other countries have their own official guidance. If a tip contradicts the official document, trust the document.
Be wary of “miracle” remedies
A promise to fix everything with one home remedy or clever trick is a sign of a myth. First aid consists of simple, proven actions.
Check the date
Guidelines change. A video made many years ago may teach things that have since been abandoned.
Ask an instructor
If a tip seems useful, ask about it at an in-person course. The instructor will explain whether it is appropriate and how to practise it properly.
First-aid myths
- “Put oil or ice on a burn” — no, cool running water is what is needed
- “Give an unresponsive person some water” — no, they may choke
- “Rub frostbitten skin with snow” — no, this damages the skin even more
- “If you don't know how, better not to get involved” — anyone can call an ambulance and stay close
- “Only doctors use defibrillators” — an automated device is designed for bystanders and gives voice prompts
- “You can learn CPR from a video” — without practice on a manikin you cannot feel the right force and rhythm
Related sections
- Methods
Adult CPR, the recovery position, dressings and cooling a burn, in general terms and never as a replacement for a course.
- Sources
Which documents this reference relies on and what it deliberately does not do.
- Glossary
Words you hear on courses and from the emergency call handler: response, breathing, compressions, defibrillator, dressing.
Sources
- European Resuscitation Council — Guidelines 2021
- Order of the Russian Ministry of Health No. 220n of 3 May 2024
Information was checked as of the preparation date. First-aid rules and resuscitation guidelines are revised from time to time, so rely on the documents currently in force where you live and on what your in-person course instructor taught you.