5 Tips for helping children at the scene of an accident
As first responders to the scene, paramedics are fully equipped to handle traumatic situations, but it can be a particularly challenging task when children are among the injured.
WHEN the previous Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande, released the festive season road accident statistics, they shockingly revealed that 1 612 people died on the South African roads between 1 December 2018 and 8 January 2019.
This year has also seen increased road carnage in Easter, and during school holiday periods.
According to a global status report on road safety published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015, passenger injuries are often lethal.
The only people more likely to die on African roads than passengers are pedestrians.
ALSO READ: Road deaths a national crisis, say AA
South African private ambulance and emergency service, ER24, said the sad reality is that paramedics also deal with many collisions on a daily basis where children are involved.
As a result, they have an insight into the vulnerability of children when it comes to collisions.
John Ramcharan, a branch manager at the service said in about half of the incidents they respond to the children sustain either serious or fatal injuries.
“They are injured or killed as a direct result of reckless or negligent driving by drivers who drive too fast, who drive drunk or take risky decisions on the road,” said Baker.
“Over weekends we typically see collisions involving families, and during the week we see taxi collisions involving school children,” said Ramcharan who, along with ER24’s trauma coordinator said that it is far more difficult to treat children than adults.
“Any type of incident can be terrifying and traumatic for anyone, but even more so for a child. While other patients are relieved at the arrival of paramedics, children can find the arrival of uniformed responders daunting and frightening.”
These tips might help you if you find yourself at the scene of an accident where there are children involved.
At the very least, they will give you some tips to minimise harm until the experts can arrive to take over.
1. Choose your words carefully
Ramcharan explained that he takes extra care when dealing with children at a scene.
“Most of the time when we get to a scene where children are involved they are usually scared or sad and ask for their parents,” said Ramcharan.
2. Never stop communicating
Ramcharan said that keeping the child informed throughout the process is essential to helping them cope.
“It is crucial to talk to the child and to talk to them continuously. Tell them what you are busy with now, even if you are taking their blood pressure or checking for any injuries. This is the only way you can gain their trust and help them to remain calm so that you can treat them.”
3. Get to the level of the child
“I’ve always maintained that when you treat a child, you always go down to their level. Kneel and treat the child. Look them in their eyes and introduce yourself before you even attempt to ask where they are hurting,” said Ramcharan.
4. Repeat and repeat as needed
Ramcharan said the communication with a child patient often needs perseverance and said forbearance is essential in communicating effectively.
“I find that repeating a question is important. A child might be thinking of a million different things at the same time and might not open up immediately.”
He explained that treating the child with care isn’t just important for the immediate treatment of injuries but also can have an effect on the lasting effects of the trauma.
5. Be honest where possible
At Grobler, ER24 Trauma Coordinator explained that the world-view of children is important to remember.
“The reality is the perception of the child. The perception of their experience is on their level. A child will most likely remember the gentle person on the scene who spoke to them or asked if I was scared. Children are clever, they can read body language, and they can understand different tones of voices. Absolute honesty is required when speaking to children. If the child asks where their mother or father is, tell them she is being looked after in the ambulance, or he is still entrapped in the vehicle. If a scene is horrific, that is when you will keep a child away from it as that will be what they will remember for the rest of their lives. But, for the most part, be as honest as possible.”
“Their parents might not always be nearby, and you have to ensure that you provide the comfort they might need at that moment. There is a specific way you go about treating a child. It does come with years of experience within the service. Your mannerisms are different when you work with a child. You have to be soft-spoken and also choose words that a child will understand. Make them feel comfortable in an otherwise stressful situation.
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