What to do in a road accident ~ Learn First Aid

Thursday, July 21, 2011

1. Stop! You can help

Knowing just a few basics could help keep someone alive until an ambulance arrives.

2. Stay safe and keep calm

Assess the situation: what are the dangers? (These might be traffic, leaking petrol, broken

glass etc).

Make sure you stay safe: keep off the road. If you need to stop approaching cars, signal to

them from the pavement.

If you are in a car and you come across an accident, first park safely and turn off the

engine before you get out to help. Use a hazard triangle if necessary.

Get help from bystanders.

3.Check airway

If it is safe to approach the injured person, do so, but don’t move them.

Check for a response – talk to them and tap them gently.

If there’s no response, shout for help.

Check their airway: put your hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back.

Remove any obstruction from their mouth such as dentures or chewing gum.

Gently lift their chin with two fingers.

Check if they’re breathing by listening and feeling for breath on your cheek. See if their

chest is moving up and down.

If they’re not breathing, you will need to breathe air into their lungs and pump it around

their body for them. See how to resuscitate for diagram and instructions.

4.Stop bleeding

Severe bleeding can cause shock so it’s important to stop the blood if you can.

Use a piece of clean cloth and press on the wound, raising the wound as you do so. Use a

dressing if you have one.

If the person is in the car and you can treat them there, do so. Do not move them

unnecessarily.

If they go into shock, loosen tight clothing and keep them warm. Lie them down and raise

their legs.

5.Call 999

Do this as soon as you can or get someone else to do it while you deal with an injured

person.