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When we witness an accident, we may be paralyzed by fear. Meanwhile, it is enough to follow the plan developed by professional rescuers, because these activities can save human life!
Dohelping victims of road accidentsyou are bound by law. However, do you know how to react and provide assistance to the victims of an accident you witnessed or participated in?
Mark the accident site correctly
This is the first step you need to do. The car can - depending on the situation - be stopped in front of or behind the scene of the accident. Turn on the hazard lights, then set up the warning triangle within 30-100 m (within 1 m in built-up areas behind the vehicle). If the scene of the accident is difficult to see, for example, because it is around a bend or hill, position the triangle appropriately before the bend or hill. Additionally, you can open the tailgate. This way you signal that something has happened - it will persuade other drivers to stop the car (their help will be very useful). In addition, with your own car, you cover the place of the accident and yourself while providing help.
Take care of your own safety
Before leaving your car, wear a reflective vest, if you have one. You will be visible to others. Then assess whether the accident site is safe for you. If it poses a threat to life and he alth, limit assistance to calling the emergency services and securing the scene of the accident.
For example, when you suspect that a truck has been carrying chemicals, look for a diamond-shaped symbol on it (maybe signal corrosive or flammable materials) or the orange rectangle with the codes of hazardous substances. When these signs are present, call the emergency number 112 or the fire service number 998. Describe the exact sign. The dispatcher will give you appropriate instructions.
Only when you are sure that nothing is in danger, approach the crashed car. Remove the ignition key. In newer cars, this is superfluous, because the ignition automatically turns off in a collision, but it may not work. Then apply the handbrake if you have access to it. When there are other bystanders of the incident, include them in providing help.
Assess the condition of the injured
Approach the individuals and ask what happened.No reaction means that the victim is unconscious. Then lean over him and check if he is breathing (you should feel and hear the breath of the exhaled air, see the chest rising). Then - if it has not been done before - call an ambulance (call 999 or 112) and specify the number of victims, their condition, describe the nature of the accident and its place.
Note: if the car is equipped with airbags that they did not work as a result of a collision - be especially careful! The rescuer's head should not be placed between the victim and the steering wheel or dashboard. The pillow may explode suddenly.
Saving lives is the most important
The witnesses are usually afraid of helping accident victims for fear that they may harm, for example, aggravate a spine injury. Indeed, one of the main causes of head and spine injuries is road traffic accidents. However, you have to remember about the priorities - first we save lives, then we take care of he alth.
In each of the cases presented below, it is necessary - if possible - to get the injured out of the vehicle, regardless of the potential spinal injury:
- when there is a risk of explosion, fire, or a car rolling down a slope;
- if the victim is not breathing, you cannot feel the pulse and resuscitation is necessary;
- when there is a hemorrhage that you cannot stop in the car.
In other situations, the injured are left in the car. Also, do not move from the scene of accident victims lying on the road or the roadside, for example cyclists, motorcyclists.
Try to calm the conscious victims. Convince them to stay where they are and not to move, even if they think they are okay. Due to the adrenaline rush, they may not feel pain or be aware of their injuries. Watch them closely. It happens that the victim's condition suddenly deteriorates (loses consciousness, stops breathing). While waiting for the ambulance, treat the injured. Also try to provide psychological support.
How to get the injured person out of the car
Sometimes it is impossible because the car has become so deformed that the victim is jammed in it. But if we have free access to it, but not breathing, or there is a fire hazard, try to do so as soon as possible. As? You can use the so-called Rautek's grip. With one hand we support the victim's chin, and with the other his hand, pressing it against the chest at the lower rib line. We place the accident victim on our chest. This reduces the risk of a worsening spine injury.
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