What should you do when you come across an accident scene where no ambulances are in sight? Should you stop and help? And if so, what can you possibly do?
The News recently learned that bystanders of an accident scene sometimes try to pull out victims from damaged vehicles themselves.
Netcare911 Emergency Medical Services spokesperson, Chris Botha, told the News this is not a safe way to go about and bystanders should rather wait for emergency services to do what they do best.
Chris spoke to the News about the do’s and don’ts when coming across an accident scene.
“Unless the car is burning, do not try to remove an injured person from their vehicle,” he warned.
There are many nerve endings around your spinal chord, and if a person is pulled wrong way, their limbs, diaphragm or lungs can give in completely due to the tearing of the nerve endings.
“A person can become entirely paralyzed,” he said.
Chris advises that when you do come across an accident where you want to help a person before medical services arrive, you should first make sure the person is breathing. If he or she is, and you are sure they do not have a back injury, you can turn them into the recovery position. It is a position used in first aid to prevent choking in unconscious patients, in which the body is placed facing downwards and slightly to the side, supported by the bent limbs.
“Keep the injured’s head extremely still. It helps when you hold it between your knees,” Christo explained.
Chris advised that when you find that someone is bleeding, you should try to stop it immediately. And if a person is not breathing, perform CPR on him or her.
“But it is very important that you wait for paramedics to execute their medical skills, instead of possibly hurting someone if you are not sure what you are doing,” he said.
Keep these numbers close if you ever need to contact emergency services:
• Emergency Ambulance: 10177
• Emergency Cell phone: 112
• National emergency number: 10111.
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