After a road accident – The do’s and the don’ts

As you check the casualties for injuries, DO NOT move them. Kneel besides them and lean over to check. Standing near them can send them into panic. If the injured is in the car and you can treat them for injuries in there, then do so. Moving them may worsen neck or back injuries that they may have.

Speak to them

Greet them and tell them your name. If there is no response, tap them gently and see if they respond to that.

Breathing

Check their airway to ascertain they are breathing. Put your hand lightly across their forehead and tilt their head backwards gently.

If they aren’t breathing

If they are not breathing at all or are breathing in an abnormal way, start CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). However, if you haven’t trained on giving CPR, DO NOT do it. Ask around if anyone can do CPR. If there is stay nearby to assist them.

Check for bleeds

Bleeding is a major cause of shock. Therefore seek to stop the flow. Take some clean cloth, which can be your hankie, and press gently on the wound.
If the person is conscious, ask them to hold the cloth against their injury, this helps them to focus thus calming down if they are in shock.

Shock

Shock is quite common after accidents. If the face is very pale then they have probably gone into shock.

Emergency Services

As much as this comes last, it should be the first thing to be done. Someone else can do it as you attend to the injured, as the emergency services need the caller on the phone to advise and take directions. Make sure the person calling gives the following information:

o Where the accident happened
o What happened; How many people are wounded
o If anyone is not breathing
o If there is bleeding
o Any other information they ask for

Remember that keeping a clear head and staying calm is key when attending to accident casualties.

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