Driving is thrilling. Of that, there’s no doubt. Unfortunately, driving can also be deadly if one is not cautious. Here’s how you can administer first aid safely after a road accident.
Even the smallest hatchbacks are powerful machines, so putting hundreds of them on the road – along with pedestrians, cyclists, motorbikes, and trucks – is likely to cause an accident at some point.
Governments and car manufacturers have been attempting to make roadways safer for decades now, but achieving a zero-accident rate remains a long way off. Until then, it’s critical to react quickly in the event of a road accident. Even if you’re simply a bystander, it is critical to know how to minimize the risk of someone losing their life to the greatest extent possible.
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While reckless driving may be the biggest contributor to fatalities on the road, a large portion of these deaths can be because most victims do not receive proper medical care on time. So, if you or someone else were involved in an accident, would you know what to do?
Continue reading to learn about some best practices to follow if you witness an accident. Timely action on your side could be the difference between life and death for someone else.
Be cautious while you approach the accident site.
As a bystander or a fellow road user, it’s important to proceed with caution when approaching the accident scene. If you’re walking, ensure the place is clear of oncoming traffic before proceeding. If you’re in a car, pull over to the side and get out only after you’ve arrived at the location. You don’t want to add to the number of casualties by crossing the street to assist just to collide with an oncoming vehicle.
Call emergency services
The first line of defense should be to contact emergency services. If there are others nearby, encourage one of them to phone 911 while you assist the injured. The faster they can get to the scene, the higher the victims’ prospects of recovery or survival. If you’re on your own, though, you should first analyze the situation and deal with any life-threatening situations.
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If you have an emergency, call 911. If no one is critically hurt, but your car is damaged, contact your insurer’s roadside assistance service. In the event of minor repairs, you could call your local car dealership, which can then dispatch technicians to the location and aid in repairing the car on the spot.
We spend a significant amount of time in our cars. They play an important role in our lives, whether it’s for getting to and from work, visiting family and friends, shopping, or taking vacations. That’s why it’s important to choose your car wisely. If you are in the market for a new car, make sure you do not skimp on any of the active and passive safety features that the car manufacturer provides.
Check on the accident victims.
Once you’ve arrived at the scene of the accident, you should look after the victims until aid arrives. Address victims who are quiet first. You can be sure they’re awake if they can communicate in some way. The silent victims may be unconscious or shell-shocked, so tend to them first so that you can determine the severity of their situation.
It would be best to exercise extreme caution while dealing with an accident victim; you do not want to increase their injuries or worsen an already difficult situation. Always be cautious and ask a lot of questions. You may need to perform CPR in extreme circumstances. Try to find someone knowledgeable about the protocol if you are unfamiliar with it.
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Administering first aid
In the aftermath of an accident, providing first aid is important to the patient’s recovery and survival. Patients who receive treatment within 60 minutes of being injured, known as the Golden Hour, have a greater chance of survival. Any first aid given at this time might considerably improve the victim’s chances of survival and lessen the severity of their injuries.
All modern cars come equipped with a first aid kit in the glove compartment. Locate it and use its contents. If you suspect a fracture, make a splint out of something and attach it to the fractured area with a piece of fabric or bandage to stabilize the broken bone instead of putting direct pressure. If the cut is bleeding profusely, apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel to stop the bleeding.
How to assemble a first aid box if you don’t have one
The basics: Gauze pads, cotton swabs, bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers, scissors, and adhesive tape. These should help you clean and treat any cuts and bruises. Additionally, always carry pain relievers and medicines for fever, headaches, cough, diarrhea, etc. You never know when they come in handy.
For winters: Carry a blanket and an umbrella in case you get stranded somewhere. Keep some water and food packed in the trunk of your car to stave off dehydration and hunger. Keeping a set of jumper cables may help you get going if you suffer a dead battery.
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