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Road traffic accidents are pretty common, but most times, people do not know what to do to whether they are the victims or a witness. Most witnesses are clueless or have very little knowledge about what to do to provide relief to the victim or victims before the paramedics arrive. In the majority of road accidents, fatalities occur due to the fact that most victims of accidents do not get proper medical attention and first aid on time. So, what do you do if you or someone else has been injured in a road traffic accident?
Here is a List of Tips to Provide First Aid for Road Accident Victims:
Check yourself or the Victim First:
The first thing you should do is check yourself for any injuries if you are involved in a road accident. If you are a witness, check the victim. Try to evaluate how well you can move your limbs and find out if you are experiencing any symptoms such as dizziness, etc. If you are one of the people involved in the accident, remember that you need to be fit enough to help the other people.
Check the Others:
Before administering first aid for road accidents on anyone involved in the accident, check their injuries. If they are injured, assess the extent of those injuries. You should treat the person who is quietest before anyone else – chances are that they are more seriously injured and unable to speak, breathe or move. Ask questions like ‘what is your name’ and if they are able to respond, it means that they understand the situation they are in and have not suffered any serious head injury.
Check for Signs of Breathing:
One of the most important steps you need to take next is to look for signs of breathing. Check to see if the people involved in the accident are breathing or if they have a pulse.
Call for Help:
The next step is to immediately call for help. Call for an ambulance or if you have a vehicle, rush the injured person to a hospital. Once you have the proper information about the person’s condition, you will be in a better position to inform the doctor or other medical professional about the person’s condition.
Check if There are Obstructions in the Person’s Throat or Mouth:
Another important step when it comes to first aid for road accident victims is to check to see if there are any obstructions in the injured person’s throat or mouth. If you find something obstructing the airway, clear the airway using your index and middle finger.
Perform life-Saving Techniques:
While you are waiting for help to arrive, you can save someone’s life by performing life-saving techniques. For instance, if you cannot find a pulse on the injured person, you should start CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) or EAR (external air resuscitation). Make sure that the person’s neck is straight before you perform any of these techniques. EAR are of three types: mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-mask and mouth-to-nose.
Take Care of Open Wounds:
If you see extensive wounds on the victims, try to control the bleeding as much as you can by putting pressure on the open wound with a clean cloth. Remember to press down with your palms and not your fingertips. You can possibly save someone’s life by making sure that any bleeding is properly controlled.
Assume That the Victim has a Spinal Injury:
If the victim is unconscious or the neck is in an awkward position, always assume that they may have a spinal injury. Make sure that you do not move the person. You should get help immediately. The person could have a broken neck and moving them could do more damage, so leave them in the position they are in.
Prevent Choking:
If the victim is bleeding from the mouth or vomiting, gently move them and turn them to their side. This will prevent them from choking. Place the arm under the person straight out and the arm that is closest to you across their chest. Leave them in that position until help arrives.
Keep the Victim Warm:
Victims of road traffic accidents usually feel cold due to shock. It is critical to keep them warm in order for them to survive. Get hold of anything you can use, e.g. a blanket, jacket, t-shirt, etc. and keep them warm until an ambulance arrives.
Quick thinking and basic knowledge of first aid for road accidents can go a long way in saving the lives of those involved in the accident. If you are in an accident or a witness to one, act quickly and wait for the medical professionals to arrive so that you can tell them the situation and the conditions of those injured in the accident.
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