Roadside First Aid
There are an estimated 300,000 casualties from road accidents
every year in the UK and knowing some First Aid could help save
a life. Carrying a First Aid kit in a car or on a motorcycle is
highly recommended, so that there is basic equipment available
should there be an accident.
It must be stressed that there is no comparison to going on a
First Aid training course, and that the following advice must be
taken in that context. www.sja.org.uk is the St John's Ambulance
website where more information about going on a First Aid course
can be found.
These are some basic tips to help in a road accident situation
in which there is a casualty:
1. Make sure the area is safe It is important to make sure that
there is no further danger at the scene of the road accident.
Ensure that approaching cars are aware of the hazard and turn
off the ignitions of the vehicles involved. Ask a bystander (if
there are any) to call the emergency services as soon as
possible.
Take a few moments to view the site of the car accident and to
look at the casualty to see what kinds of injuries are likely to
have been sustained. If it is possible that the casualty has
suffered trauma, and may have broken bones, head injuries, neck
injuries, or internal injuries, it is essential that they are
not moved.
2. Check if the casualty is conscious See if the road accident
casualty is conscious or unconscious by tapping them on their
collarbone and shouting to them. If they are unable to talk, ask
if they can open their eyes.
If the casualty is a motorcyclist, do not remove the helmet,
whether the casualty is conscious or not. Helmet removal must
only be carried out by trained medics because if it is done
wrongly, it can cause additional injuries.
3. Check the casualty's airway First aid authorities recommend
the following action to check and clear a casualty's airway. To
check if it is clear, place a hand on their forehead, and gently
tilt the head back. Look in their mouth to see if there is any
visible obstruction, such as their tongue having fallen back
into their throat. Once this is done this, lift their chin using
2 fingers. This helps the airway to clear.
If the casualty has broken bones or other trauma, such as neck
or back injuries, avoid moving their head at all, just raise the
chin.
20% of the fatalities on Britain's roads are caused by
obstruction of the airway, so making sure it is clear is a
priority. If unsure how to go about it, check if any of the
bystanders have First Aid knowledge, or speak to the emergency
services operator.
4. Check the casualty's breathing It is useful to be able to
tell the emergency services whether the casualty is breathing or
not, and this can be done by:
- Listening to the mouth for sounds of breathing
- Feeling for breathing by placing your cheek over the mouth
- Watching the chest for signs of rising and falling
5. Symptoms and treatment of shock A road accident casualty who
has gone into shock shows symptoms such as cold, clammy skin,
rapid and shallow breathing, thirst, and a rapid, weak pulse.
Shock is caused by loss of blood, and means that oxygen is not
travelling around the body properly.
To help slow down shock until medical assistance arrives, try to
keep the person warm with coats or blankets, reassure them, and,
if possible, get them to lie on the ground with their legs
raised. Slowing the loss of blood is something you may be able
to do if it is caused by an external wound, but not if the blood
is being lost internally.
6. Slowing an external loss of blood Wear disposable gloves if
possible, and look and feel for blood on and under the casualty.
To staunch a bleeding wound that has nothing embedded in it,
apply direct pressure to it. Ideally use a dressing, but if a
dressing is not available then your hand should be sufficient.
If there is something in the wound that should not be there,
such as glass for example, do not apply direct pressure to it,
but press it together from the sides.
A First Aid course will teach these skills in a lot more detail,
as well as teaching additional skills such as CPR
(cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Learning what to do for
casualties in a road accident is something that could save
lives, and a short course with a First Aid authority is highly
recommended.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a road accident and
are considering a personal injury claim, George Ide, Phillips
may be able to help you. For free advice on claiming
compensation, go to www.accident-compensation-solicitor-uk.co.uk
or call on 0808 144 0043.