Netcare 911 released the following tips on what to do or not to do when you come across a road accident scene.
What to do when you come across a road accident:
• Ensure your own safety. Is it safe for you to be around the accident scene? Your safety is first priority and you cannot help anyone if you are injured or compromised in any way.
• Stop in a safe place, with your hazard lights on and put a warning triangle at a fair distance back from the scene to alert motorists to the possible danger ahead.
• Look around the scene for any possible hazards. These may include petrol or diesel leaks, fire, oncoming traffic, dangerous animals or hostile bystanders.
• Assess the scene and see if there are any injuries. If there are, make sure that you phone for help. Remember to give the call-taker your number in case the call gets cut off.
• When you call for help, make sure you know the location of the incident. If you are unsure of the exact location, the nearest intersection or large landmark is the next best answer.
• If possible provide the call-taker with a brief description of the accident scene, the number of injured patients and the nature of their injuries.
• Do not move an injured person unless absolutely necessary as you may cause further injury. Rather try to keep injured people calm by talking to them and reassuring them that help is on the way.
• If there are any patients who are bleeding heavily, try to stop the bleeding by compressing the wound with a clean towel or piece of clothing.
What not to do when you come across a road accident:
• Never touch an open wound or the bodily fluids of another person if you do not have the necessary protective gear such as gloves, face masks and eye goggles.
• If patients have a foreign object impaled anywhere in their bodies, do not remove it unless absolutely necessary as you may cause further harm by removing the object. Wait for emergency medical services to arrive and assist where required.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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