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As a road accident unfolds before your eyes, adrenaline rushes through your system, and everything starts to slow down. In the precious moments during an accident, witnesses have the power to decide life and death, preventing injury from running further. Whether an observer or involved directly, helping the victim safely and speedily is paramount; remaining seconds make all the difference.
Our accident and emergency team at Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, stands ready to provide world-class support in emergencies, but your help at the scene will surely impact the outcome.
Synopsis
Afterwards, Scene Safety: Protect Yourself and Others
Stop and think first before rushing in. Accident scene safety comes first. Park your vehicle safely some distance away, turn on your hazard lights, and put on your high-visibility jacket if you have one. This is not all for show; traffic will need to see you, or you run the risk of making the pile-up worse. If you have a warning triangle, place it well behind the crash site, but never use one on a motorway.
Once the area is secure, check for fire, leaking fuel, or other hazards. Only approach if it’s safe. Remember, your safety is essential for helping others.
Reaction Following a Vehicular Accident: Stop and Assess
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One must stop at the collision scene as the law dictates, regardless of circumstances or outward slightness of damage.
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Turn off your vehicle engine while applying the handbrake; remove all the victims from the vehicle if safe to do so.
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The other important step is to move anyone to another secure place away from traffic, if possible, behind a barrier.
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This is the first immediate response after a vehicular accident and cannot be dispensed with for everyone’s protection.
Call for Help: Activate Emergency Response
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Never hesitate; calling the police at the 112 emergency number should be the first thing to do. It is important to give the operator your exact location, direction of travel, number of vehicles involved, and the condition of those involved.
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Likewise, if on a motorway, always use the emergency phone to give pinpoint location information. The system ensures a swift response from the police, fire, or ambulance services to road accident scenes.
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If you can get bystanders to assist you in giving information or in controlling traffic, then do so.
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More relevant information helps emergency teams prepare for the real scenario they would be stepping into.
First Aid in Road Accident: Who Is to Be Helped Initially?
If you are conversant with first aid in road accidents, please begin. Should you not know, then here is how:
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Look for the quiet ones first: Those who are silent may be unconscious or not breathing.
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Check responsiveness and breathing: If somebody is not responsive but is breathing, place him/her in the recovery position, making sure that their airway remains open. Avoid moving injured people except in situations where the condition will worsen because of fire, explosion, or flooding.
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Control heavy bleeding: Wear gloves and apply direct pressure with a clean cloth.
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If an individual is not breathing, and you know CPR, get ready to give it; however, always seek emergency services advice if you do not know.
Steps Following a Road Accident: Documentation and Legal Requirements
In the meantime, once safety is guaranteed and help is on the verge of coming, it is time for the practicalities. Exchange names, addresses, and vehicle registration numbers with the parties involved. If anyone refuses or disappears after a few moments, the police must be contacted immediately.
If it is safe to do so, go take some photos of the scene, damages, and injuries.
If a spinal injury or head injury is suspected, instruct bystanders to support the person's neck gently and avoid moving the injured party unnecessarily.
In the event of emergencies and accident care, the ICU and Critical Care team at Manipal Hospital, Ghaziabad, can deal with even the most severe trauma cases, giving hope and expertise when most needed. Contact Us.
Conclusion
Emergency Care in Accidents: When Every Second Counts.
Once the emergency team is on-site, brief them on all the information you have gathered, then let the professionals handle matters. Badly trained and poorly equipped are not words for the critical moments; however, what you do in those first few minutes will be lifesaving.
FAQ's
Ensure your safety first, switch on your hazard lights and then evaluate the scene to assist.
Call the emergency ambulance right away; check if the injured persons are responsive; provide first aid if trained; and never move injured people except where there is an immediate danger.
Exchange details of oneself and the other party; if possible, take photographs at the scene.
To protect oneself and others from further injury, secondary accidents occur frequently when scenes remain unsecured.
Accept an injured person. Keep them calm and warm. Monitor their condition and reassure them until emergency carers take over.
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