VRYHEID KZN: Learners interact with emergency services at ‘mock’ accident scene

One of the most traumatic experiences is either being involved in a motor vehicle accident or being one of the first people at the scene of a crash. The question is: How does one respond to an accident scene? KwaZulu Private Ambulances area manager Frikkie Bekker runs a programme where he and his crew, in conjunction with Captain Venter from Vryheid SAPS, recreate an accident scene and demonstrate to schoolchildren how emergency services respond to these scenes. Not only do they carry out demonstrations, but they also involve learners in the ‘action’ in a hands-on way. They teach them what to do and how to react when involved in a crash. This programme also creates awareness among learners on the different career opportunities within emergency and safety services.

Last week, another rescue demonstration was held at Thandokwakhe Combined School in Shoba. A recreation of an accident scene was set up and while the emergency crew attended to the ‘scene’, everything was explained to the learners, as follows:

When one is involved in a motor vehicle accident, ascertain whether you or the passengers are injured. The two drivers need to swap their personal information. If the vehicles are drivable, you have 24 hours to report the accident to your local police station. In the case where someone has been injured and the vehicles are damaged, emergency services need to be dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival of emergency services, they will secure the scene in the form of protective parking and attend to the injured.

When you are the first person at the scene of an accident, it is very important not to move any of the casualties. If you have first aid training, you can render the required first aid and ‘activate’ emergency services to respond to the scene, since professional assistance in the form of intermediate or advanced life support may be required. Once emergency or ambulance services are on scene, they will assess the situation and attend to the patients. Depending on the severity of injuries, they might need to intervene with the breathing of a patient and place them on a mechanical ventilator; these actions are considered advanced life support interventions. It may also be necessary to do an aerial-medical activation, which means they contact a medical helicopter to urgently transport a patient to a specialised healthcare facility. The ground crew ensures that there is appropriate and safe space for the helicopter to land, even if they need to move the patient to another safe area. At the hospital, the ambulance personnel would transfer the patient into the care of a doctor and nursing personnel to further attend to the patient.

Emergency contact numbers:
KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services – 0860 247 911
KZN EMS – 112
SAPS – 112

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