“Don’t become the second victim” has been called the first rule of rescuing. The rescuer shouldn’t risk his or her life in the rescue. “Don’t become the second victim” has been cited in print since at least 1985.
 
“Don’t become the second victim” is also popular as a business adage.
 
   
Google Books
Pesticide Safety for Farmworkers
By Bonnie Poli and Sam S. Fluker; United States. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Pesticide Programs.
Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Pesticide Programs
1985
Pg. 8:
Don’t become the second victim.
 
Google Groups: rec.scuba
can a no swimmer dive?
CPR86
10/5/00
(...)
Wrong again.  Without going into the legal aspects of attempting rescues without proper training and gear I’ll give you a little tidbit that is drilled into our heads.. DON"T BECOME THE SECOND VICTIM.  That’s what the rescue squad is for.. You know the guys who know how to swim, with all the gear.. BTW, the rescue guys use FLOAT suits to do rescues.  Properly equiped to do the job at hand.
 
Google Books
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Country Living
By Kimberley Willis
New York, NY: Alpha Books
2008
Pg. 169:
If you come upon an accident, don’t become the second victim. Take a moment to assess the situation and decide on the best way to help.
 
Google Books
The Negotiator:
My Life at the Heart of the Hostage Trade
By Ben Lopez
New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing
2011
Pg. 95:
In negotiations, we always follow the first rule of any kind of rescue. Don’t become the second victim.
 
Twitter
Nicholas Driscoll
‏@Illuvitar94
Rule 1. Don’t become the second victim. Rule 2. Look good while doing it. And rule 3. Get paid while doing rule 2.
10:47 AM - 4 Sep 2013
 
Twitter
Peter C. Horan
‏@PeterCHoran
Marissa ignored the first rule of lifesaving—don’t become the second victim.  YHOO may have been too badly damaged …http://huff.to/1tyNnhw
6:04 PM - 30 Dec 2014
   
Investment News
Help clients before they become the family bank
Develop a strategy to navigate family financial dynamics and protect retirement savings
May 29, 2015 @ 1:10 pm
By David Baxter
(...)
FIRST RULE OF RESCUING
Among lifeguards, the first rule when rescuing someone at risk of drowning is “Don’t be the second victim.” In the same way, when family members need money, clients should have a thoughtful strategy in place for their own retirement security before lending a helping hand.
   
Birmingham (AL) News Radio 105.5 WERC-FM
Stewart Welch on Retirement Risk
Posted Tuesday, September 8th 2015 @ 7am
(...)
There’s an old saying used by lifeguards, “The first rule of rescuing is don’t become the second victim”.