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> Thankfully I've never had to use it. Did a first aid certification 15 years ago in France. At the end of the course, they told us that based on French law,

> Thankfully I've never had to use it. Did a first aid certification 15 years ago in France. At the end of the course, they told us that based on French law, it is your legal duty if you have the certification to perform first aid when the situation requires it. That is, once you have the certification, if you do not perform a somewhat correct first aid procedure in case of need, you could be charged for "non assistance à personne en danger" (disregarding assistance to endangered person). It dreads me to this day that I could have to perform such procedure and not remember it. Luckily I never had to.

nowahe 6y ago
Fun fact, the "non assistance à personne en danger" law was passed during WW2, when France was under the collaborative Vichy Regime. It was to compel French citizens to help injured German soldiers.
alwayseasy 6y ago
French law will only put you in trouble if you voluntarily do absolutely nothing. For instance not calling an ambulance when you could have. When the action taken is judged "insufficient" (like not trying to stop heavy bleeding) there is a consideration for your medical knowledge. You'll never be in trouble for not performing everything correctly, especially after 15 years. First responders appreciate someone who has some better understanding of the situation so don't hesitate! I've been in this situation recently: I had first aid certification in 2004 and then a bad situation happened. Ancient "training" kicked-in and I took charge of the situation with some mistakes due to adrenaline and having to manage panicked people around me.
kiliantics 6y ago
You should do a refresher course because some of the recommended procedures have changed over the years. I think everyone should take a regular first aid course, it is strange to me how many people I know have never had one.

nowahe 6y ago

Fun fact, the "non assistance à personne en danger" law was passed during WW2, when France was under the collaborative Vichy Regime. It was to compel French citizens to help injured German soldiers.

alwayseasy 6y ago

French law will only put you in trouble if you voluntarily do absolutely nothing. For instance not calling an ambulance when you could have. When the action taken is judged "insufficient" (like not trying to stop heavy bleeding) there is a consideration for your medical knowledge. You'll never be in trouble for not performing everything correctly, especially after 15 years. First responders appreciate someone who has some better understanding of the situation so don't hesitate! I've been in this situation recently: I had first aid certification in 2004 and then a bad situation happened. Ancient "training" kicked-in and I took charge of the situation with some mistakes due to adrenaline and having to manage panicked people around me.

kiliantics 6y ago

You should do a refresher course because some of the recommended procedures have changed over the years. I think everyone should take a regular first aid course, it is strange to me how many people I know have never had one.