Roadside first aid
Every year around 22,000 people are seriously injured in road traffic accidents and another 160,000 are slightly injured. Those injuries can range from cuts and bruises up to loss of limbs and serious breakages. The thing is, would you stop if you witnessed such an incident? Many people don’t, because they’re unsure of what to do, daunted by the prospect of seeing somebody covered in blood, or incapable of moving. Yet the basics of roadside first aid are actually really simple, and here, with the help of St John’s Ambulance, we show you how easy it is to make a difference. Familiarise yourself with these techniques and if the worst should happen while you’re out and about, you could prevent a minor injury becoming a serious one – or you could even save a life. Step 1: Make the area safe Before you can attend to a casualty, you must make the incident area safe, to protect yourself, any injured people, and other road users. Here’s how to do it: Pull over safely, clear of damaged vehicles. Apply your handbrake and switch on your hazard lights. Don’t attempt to cross a road if it’s unsafe, as it could cause another accident, or serious injury to yourself. Call 999. If you think people may be trapped or there’s a fire risk, ask for a fire crew as well as the police and ambulance services. If available, ask others to set up warning triangles to warn other drivers to slow down. Warning triangles should be set at least 50 metres away from the incident and in both directions if necessary. Switch off the ignitions of any damaged vehicles. If a vehicle is upright, apply the handbrake and engage first gear. Be constantly aware of dangers such as approaching cars. Make sure no one smokes; things could very quickly escalate if there’s any leaking fuel or oil…