In Germany (and some neighbouring countries) we are told nearly the controverse. No matter if from DRK, Johanniter, Malteser or other organisations.Steve_D wrote:I was taught in first aid that you shouldn't EVER remove the helmet of a motorcyclist involved in an accident at the scene unless that by leaving it on they would die anyway - reasons given were that they had stopped breathing or had vomited and were in danger of suffocation.
If the casualty can't speak and is unconscious: helmet off. You can't even control the vital functions with helmet on. If unconscious, the muscles relax. The tongue falls into the throat. The lung is weak too and can't suck air past the tongue. Exitus.
(And off course we are trained how to.)
We can't be sued for erroneous first aid, but we can be send to jail for deferred first aid.Reasoning is that you could do major damage to the neck/spine and you could be liable to prosecution if you caused such damage.
Damaging the spine is unlikely. But suffocation is quite likely during unconsciousness.
BTW: Which casualty does really like to wear his helmet for a long time? Without ventilating air it becomes quickly stuffy.