title: [Concept of first responders in Western Switzerland: current situation and future perspectives].
abstract: The notion of "First Responder" (FR) refers to the system of first-aid volunteers who act to initiate the first-aid care before the classical emergency help arrives. In 2011, the French-speaking Switzerland counts 19 groups, divided up between four cantons (Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Valais). The geographical distribution of those FR shows the stakes of these peripherical areas, with the accessibility difficulties for the emergency services, and a low demography of ambulances and doctors. The number of interventions carried out by the FR has significantly increased during the last years. The association of a quality formation, an excellent knowledge of the ground and a quick intervention has a positive impact on the survival of the patients with vital emergency or traumatic conditions.
authors: Faculté de biologie et de médecine, Université de Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1011 Lausanne. alexandre.moser@unil.ch
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Moser
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Yersin
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Osterwalder
authors: Pierre-Nicolas
authors: PN
authors: Carron
mesh_terms: D000552:Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D060731:Emergency Responders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D013557:Switzerland