Harald Dippe deals with the topic of rescue at the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the construction industry (BG BAU) – for example at high-altitude workplaces, traffic routes or during industrial climbing. He explains how the NEST principle can help in emergencies and gives illustrative examples from practice.

What does the abbreviation NEST stand for?

Dippe: NEST stands for Noticing and Reporting an Emergency, First Aid, Rescue, Evacuation, Safety of First Aiders, Rescuers, Accident Victims and Transportation for Handover to the Rescue Services. It is an easy-to-use scheme, especially for emergency scenarios. The principle helps to organize the rescue chain optimally and to find out where the weak points are by fulfilling or processing each letter.

Please give me specific examples of applications.

Dippe: “Anyone can play through the letters in relation to their workplace. Let’s take the example of the cashier in the supermarket. If she faints, for example, the letters N for emergency call and E for first aid are quickly dealt with if customers notice this and call other staff for help. Transportation is also likely to be easy to implement, as the emergency services can easily reach the person through the supermarket entrance. The situation is different with a deep excavation. It is worth thinking about this and having solutions ready.

For whom is it necessary to prepare for emergencies?

Dippe: “The employer has a duty to do this. But employees should also do it so that they know what to do if the worst comes to the worst. This is particularly important if the incident is complex. Let’s assume someone is hanging from a wind turbine on land and has lost their footing during maintenance work. Such an incident often overwhelms the volunteer fire department. And the call for help can also be prevented quite simply by a lack of cell phone reception.

Why are many people so reluctant to deal with this topic?

Dippe: Anyone who hasn’t been confronted with the need for first aid since taking their driving test, for example, usually feels caught off guard by emergencies. In such situations, you have to leave your comfort zone and break your usual routines. Many people find this difficult because it is unexpected.

How was the idea for NEST developed?

Dippe: We developed it together with many of those affected, for example from the emergency services, and colleagues at BG BAU – based on the experience that a rescue chain is usually only triggered when an emergency call is made. That is often too late, a lot can happen before then.

Do you also teach the NEST principle or what is the best way to communicate it?

Dippe: It is disseminated in lectures, publications and by the supervisors. We benefit from the catchy abbreviation. NEST – anyone who hears it has a positive image in their head, a nest in which they feel protected. And then all they have to do is call up the letters one by one or proceed accordingly to prepare for help.

Is there any feedback from users?

Dippe: Yes, in fact, the four letters have already been dealt with individually in small groups by third parties at workshops in companies – in relation to the situation on site and the implementation there. For me, that’s the best thing that can happen: An idea is applied and developed further

Further information on the NEST principle can be found at BG BAU aktuell