First aid refresher course for tripsitters + EHBDD

Today, I, Marcel, together with my Triptherapie colleagues, I have successfully completed the first-aid refresher course, so that our first-aid and EHBDD certifications remain valid. We believe this is important, because proper guidance during psychedelic sessions is not just about calm, attention and trust, but also about genuine safety.

First aid is essential because you need to be able to act quickly and appropriately in the event of an unexpected physical emergency. Particularly during individual psychedelic sessions in a domestic setting, it is important for us to be able to accurately assess when a situation is at risk of becoming unsafe. Maintaining a clear overview, providing first aid and calling in professional help in good time when necessary all contribute to safety and trust. It is precisely during intensive sessions that you want a facilitator not to have to hesitate, but to know exactly what to do.

EHBDD is an important addition in this regard, as this training specifically addresses first aid in alcohol- and drug-related situations. For tripsitters For therapists, this is particularly valuable, as it helps them to recognise the effects of substances more effectively, assess risks more quickly and respond appropriately when someone becomes physically or mentally unwell. This not only enhances safety, but also fosters a sense of trust during the session.

The refresher course is so important because knowledge and skills must be kept up to date. In an emergency, it is not just what you have learnt in the past that counts, but above all what you can apply immediately and without hesitation. Regular training ensures that your skills remain sharp, up to date and ready for practical use.

For us, this goes without saying: anyone who supports others through vulnerable, profound and sometimes intense processes should not only be committed and experienced, but also well prepared for the unexpected. Safety is not a mere detail, but the foundation.

The figures at a glance

I have now had the privilege of personally supporting more than 2,300 people. Within Triptherapie, we have supported a total of over 3,500 people. Although first aid is an important part of working responsibly for us, fortunately we have experienced very few actual incidents. Personally, I have only had to call the emergency services twice. That is precisely why having knowledge to hand is so important: not because things often go wrong, but because being well prepared helps you to stay calm and, in doing so, actually prevent accidents.

Still, I want to be open about what has happened over all these years.

1. During one session, I called the police because the person in question became so suspicious that he thought I had poisoned him. To de-escalate the situation, I called the police myself at the time. When the police arrived and asked whether he had intended to take drugs, he replied: “Yes, that was the intention, but still!” In consultation with the police, the session eventually continued, whilst I remained at a safe distance and kept an eye on him.
2. In another instance, someone under the influence of truffles suffered a panic attack. He couldn’t be persuaded that it was simply anxiety and thought his heart was about to give out. To be on the safe side and to reassure him, I called an ambulance. The ambulance crew concluded that it was indeed a panic attack and that it would subside on its own.
3. The most common situation we see is light-headedness or fainting, usually towards the end of a session. Within Triptherapie, there have been around ten reports of this out of some 3,500 coaching sessions. That is relatively few, but it is precisely the sort of situation where it is important to know immediately how to respond.

In short, it’s better to be well prepared for something that might never happen than to be unprepared for the one moment when it really matters.