Stroke first aid: Key steps to save lives before help arrives

To remember in the event of a stroke

• Recognise quickly: paralysed face, weak arms, speech problems = stroke.
• Call 144 immediately (do not wait).
• Note the time of onset of symptoms (crucial for treatment).
• If the victim is conscious: reassure them, put them at rest, monitor their condition.
• If unconscious but breathing: lateral safety position (PLS).
• Don’t give anything to drink or eat, no aspirin.
• Continuously monitor breathing and state of consciousness until help arrives.

What is a stroke?

A Stroke occurs when part of the brain is deprived of oxygen and blood. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die, which can lead to severe seizures or death.

There are two main types of stroke:

• Ischaemic stroke (≈ 85% of cases): a clot blocks a cerebral artery and blocks blood flow.
• haemorrhagic stroke (≈ 15% of cases): a blood vessel ruptures, causing haemorrhage into the brain.

In both cases, time is a critical factor: the quicker the intervention, the greater the chances of survival and recovery.

Acting quickly in the event of a stroke: why every minute counts

The first few minutes after a stroke are crucial. Rapid treatment makes it possible to :

• Limiting brain damage;
• Increase the chances of recovery of motor and cognitive functions ;
• Reduce the risk of lasting disability.

In the event of a suspected stroke, you should immediately call 144 in Switzerland, keep the victim under observation and note the time of onset of symptoms (crucial information for doctors).

Identifying the signs of a stroke: reacting without delay

A stroke can manifest itself suddenly with characteristic symptoms that are vital to recognise:

• Weakness or numbness of an arm, leg or face, often on one side only.
• Speech disorders: difficulty expressing oneself, incoherent speech, inability to understand.
• Sudden loss of vision (partial or total), often in only one eye.
• Intense and unusual headaches, sometimes with nausea and vomiting.
• Balance disorders: difficulty walking, lack of coordination, dizziness.

To memorise the warning signs, remember the acronym VITE :

Eextreme emergency → immediately call 144.

• Visage paralysed
• Iunable to lift an arm
• Tspeech disorder
• Eextreme emergency → immediately call 144.

Life-saving gestures before the emergency services arrive

In the event of a stroke, it is essential to act immediately. Here are the first aid gestures to apply without delay:

1. Call emergency services (144 in Switzerland)
   • Call 144 at the first sign of a stroke.
   • Clearly describe the victim’s condition (symptoms observed, time of onset, known history).
   • Follow the emergency operator’s instructions to the letter.
2. Positioning the victim correctly
   • If conscious: seat or semi-seat the person in a stable, comfortable position.
   • If unconscious but breathing: place her in the lateral position of safety (PLS), to keep the airways clear and avoid any risk of suffocation.
3. Continuous monitoring
   • Check your breathing and level of consciousness regularly.
   • Give no food, drink or medication (particularly no aspirin).
   • Reassure the victim by speaking calmly until help arrives.

Stroke prevention and first aid training

Prevention remains the best protection against stroke. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk :

• A balanced diet, low in salt and saturated fats.
• Regular physical activity.
• Stress management, sleep management and smoking cessation.
• Medical monitoring for high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol.

In addition to medical prevention, it is strongly recommended to take a first aid training course (BLS-AED-SRC, IAS 1 or IAS 2). These training courses teach how to:

• Recognising the signs of a stroke quickly.
• Correctly perform the PLS and resuscitation techniques (BLS-AED).
• Reacting calmly to a medical emergency.

Commitment and saving lives

Every minute counts during a stroke. Your ability to identify the symptoms and act immediately can mean the difference between a speedy recovery and irreversible after-effects.

Get involved today by taking first aid training. You’ll be ready to intervene, save lives and increase safety around you.

To develop these skills further, discover our specialised training courses:

• BLS AED in Geneva
• BLS AED SRC Complete in Lausanne
• BLS AED course in Fribourg