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Features of first aid in case of an accident

Providing first aid in case of an accident

In the modern world of high-speed technologies, almost the entire population of the Earth uses cars. The rapidly increasing number of cars leads to many car accidents, in which people often die.

First aid in case of an accident is provided by eyewitnesses of the incident, which can be both drivers and passengers, and pedestrians. The life of the victim depends on the quick, coordinated and, most importantly, correct actions of witnesses to the accident.

Important information

After a car accident, the driver and eyewitnesses of the tragedy need to perform a number of important actions:

  • Stop the vehicle and get out of it;
  • Make sure of your own safety;
  • Mark the location of the accident with signs indicating an emergency stop, or turn on the alarm;
  • Call an ambulance;
  • Provide first aid to victims of road accidents;
  • Find out the personal information of eyewitnesses, write them down and call the police.

When calling doctors, you need to clearly and consistently provide the dispatcher with the necessary information:

  • Location of the accident indicating exact data and the most convenient routes;
  • Number of victims, their approximate age, probable type of injury;
  • Your personal data (last name and mobile phone number for communication);
  • If necessary, ask witnesses to meet the ambulance if access to the accident site is difficult to find.

In case of a transport accident in which more than three people were injured, you need to call not medical help, but a rescue team from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Calling rescuers is also necessary if it is not possible to remove victims of an accident from the car.

Step by step instructions

If people are conscious and their movements are not limited, you need to help them get out of the vehicle.

It is prohibited to remove the victim from the car before the arrival of professionals if there is a suspicion of spinal injury!

If people are unconscious, they must be removed from the car very carefully. It is advisable that 2-3 people provide assistance. One witness should take the victim under the armpits, and the second by the legs.

When removing an unconscious person from a vehicle, it is prohibited to bend his upper and lower limbs. The torso should be in as straight a position as possible.

The following actions to assist victims are provided in this order:

  1. The injured person is carried (taken) to a safe place.
  2. If consciousness is present, a survey is carried out and the general condition, the presence of injuries and damage are assessed.
  3. An unconscious victim is urgently checked for the functioning of vital systems: pulse, breathing and heartbeat. If they are absent, resuscitation measures are carried out until professionals arrive.
  4. After resuscitation, the person is carefully examined and all visible injuries are determined.
  5. If possible, provide the victim with painkillers.
  6. For fractures, limbs are immobilized.
  7. Apply a tourniquet or tight bandage for severe arterial bleeding.
  8. Perform actions to prevent the spread of infection in the body by applying antiseptic bandages and dressings.
  9. They provide the person with the most comfortable and correct position, based on the severity and location of the injury.
  10. After the arrival of medical professionals, they are informed of all the actions taken.

The main goal when providing first aid in an accident is to eliminate factors that pose a threat to human life.

These include the following deadly signs:

  • Severe external bleeding;
  • Unconscious state;
  • Lack of functioning of the heart and respiratory organs;
  • Traumatic shock.

If a person is not breathing and there is no audible heartbeat, eyewitnesses have no more than four minutes to save the patient’s brain from dying, which will occur due to a catastrophic lack of his oxygen supply.

Let's consider how to properly provide assistance to victims of road accidents in each specific case.

Resuscitation actions

Before deciding to provide resuscitation, you need to make sure that the victim has no signs of life. Urgent resuscitation care will be required if a person lacks one of the following factors:

  • Consciousness;
  • Clear and regular breathing;
  • Pulse on the carotid artery;
  • Pupil reactions to light.

To check the reaction of the pupils, you need to carefully move the person’s eyelid and place your palm on it. If, after the palm is removed, the pupils do not constrict, this indicates a critical condition of the person.

Lack of pupil reaction to light is not evidence of death! Only the absence of breathing and heartbeat can indicate a fatal outcome.

However, the provision of first aid should be carried out as long as there is at least the slightest hope of saving the person.

The resuscitation process includes two successive stages:

  • Clearing the respiratory tract;
  • Carrying out artificial respiration in combination with indirect cardiac massage.

Performing the first step is extremely important, since clearing the upper respiratory tract will allow the person to start breathing on their own. This action will help to perform artificial respiration efficiently.

First aid for clearing the respiratory tract is performed in the following order:

  • The victim is placed on his back;
  • His head is thrown back;
  • The patient's lower jaw is pushed forward;
  • Using a finger with a bandage or gauze wrapped around it, clean the oral cavity in a circular motion.

Carrying out artificial respiration is necessary to restore lung function by supplying oxygen to them. This technique is performed until the patient begins to breathe on his own or medical workers arrive.

Heart massage, performed using the indirect impact technique, allows you to provide organs and tissues with the required amount of blood supply. Rescue actions are carried out until a clear pulsation appears or professionals arrive.

Read everything about the rules of resuscitation here.

After the victim clearly begins to show signs of life (weak breathing and pulsation in the carotid artery appear), a restorative measure is carried out, which consists of ensuring the person is positioned on his side.

The victim must be turned over correctly. To do this, his hand is placed on his shoulder. Then they bend the patient’s leg and, taking it by the knee, slowly turn the whole body onto its side.

If the patient is breathing and a pulse is palpable, but he is unconscious, assistance is provided in the following order:

  • Clears the airways;
  • They give the person a “recovery” pose;
  • Regularly record pulse and respiration;

If necessary, resuscitation begins immediately.

Stopping blood loss

Significant and rapid blood loss is often the main provocateur of the victim’s death. Therefore, such conditions require emergency care.

Depending on the type of blood loss, its stopping will depend.

So, at the sight of bright scarlet blood gushing out of a wound like a fountain, one can without a doubt state that the artery has been damaged. This type of blood loss is the most dangerous. To stop it, you will need to apply a tourniquet 5 cm above the damage itself.

With venous bleeding, the blood is dark, viscous, and pours out in a large stream. To save the patient in this case, a pressure-type bandage (not a tourniquet!) is applied 1-2 cm below the wound, after covering it with a napkin.

Read all about the correct application of a tourniquet here.

When stopping blood loss, it is important to remember that the tourniquet is used for 1-2 hours, depending on the time of year. If the arteries or veins are compressed for a longer period of time, the victim will develop tissue necrosis, which will lead to gangrene. Therefore, after using these devices, it is mandatory to write a note indicating the start time of the tourniquet.

If after a road accident you do not have a pen and paper to make the necessary notes, the time is indicated on the patient’s body or face by all available means: lipstick, the victim’s blood, etc.

If the blood loss is insignificant and accompanies minor abrasions or cuts, then it does not threaten the health and life of the patient. However, the skin is damaged, and there is a high risk of infection in the wound. To prevent these unpleasant consequences of capillary damage, a bandage soaked in an antiseptic is applied to the wound.

Damage to bone tissue

Damage to bone tissue in the form of dislocations or fractures is a common occurrence in accidents.

First aid in this case comes down to identifying the injury and immobilizing the injured limbs.

Fractures can be open or closed.

With open fractures, the following symptoms are observed:

  • Severe pain that gets worse when trying to move;
  • Swelling and deformation changes in the injured limb.

An open fracture differs from a closed fracture by the obligatory presence of a wound, from which bone fragments may be visible.

Help in this case is provided in the following order:

  • Provide analgesics;
  • Treat the skin around the wound with an antiseptic solution;
  • Immobilize the limb using splints.

Read more about first aid for fractures here.

Remember that first aid in case of an accident is the responsibility of any citizen who witnesses it. In case of hiding from the scene of a disaster or ignoring the incident, the legislation of the Russian Federation provides for punishment in the form of a fine or correctional labor.

Providing first aid in case of road traffic accidents

Main causes of death in road accidents:

- injuries incompatible with life - 20%
- delay of ambulance - 10%
- incorrectly provided first aid or inaction of eyewitnesses - 70%.

Why does this happen, how can I help a person injured in an accident? After all, in a driving school everyone learns the rules of first aid in case of an accident. But for some reason, the majority remain either indifferent to the grief of others or do not know how to help. We urge all motorists not to remain indifferent and familiarize themselves with (or repeat) the basic principles of first aid in case of an accident.

Accidents often occur in areas far from hospitals. This is one of the main reasons when an ambulance cannot quickly get to the scene of an accident. And this pre-hospital period is in our hands. The ability to provide assistance at this stage is greatly appreciated.

Ensuring safety at the scene of an accident.

1. Turn on the hazard warning lights and install a warning triangle.

2. Assess the situation and have confidence in your own safety, otherwise the number of victims may increase. A car with a gasoline engine burns out in 5-7 minutes, there is a possibility of an explosion. Therefore, it is necessary to turn off the engine, disconnect the battery (disconnect the wires from the battery by all possible means, tear it out, cut it, unscrew it). If a car crashes into a pole with power lines, the lines may be broken. You need to be careful.

3. Calling ambulance and rescue services. Let the following emergency numbers be always stored in your phone book:

Read more:  Report about an accident

“03” in Russia is an ambulance service
“01” in Russia is a fire service, but through it you can always call an ambulance and rescue service

Sequence of assistance in case of an accident.

1. Call an ambulance.

2. It is necessary to remove the victim from the car. This is a very important moment, as the severity of the injuries can be aggravated. The main injuries in road accidents are traumatic brain injury, injuries to the thoracic region and lower extremities. Before removing the victim from the car, it is necessary to eliminate everything that could interfere with this. They pull the person out by grabbing him by the armpits.

Since in an accident a person receives various types of injuries, bruises, fractures, no sudden movements should be made. Under no circumstances should you jerk or stretch your limbs. And also, under no circumstances bend your limbs and torso. If there is a suspicion of a spinal fracture, then the patient is placed on his stomach so that the fracture site remains in relative peace.

3. After removing the victim, everything must be done as carefully as possible and his condition must be assessed as quickly as possible. First, you need to remove the constricting clothing to ensure the flow of oxygen (remove the tie, tear the clothes, loosen the belt, etc.). Any careless movement or pressure can only increase the pain, be careful.

4. Assess the condition of the victim. First, it is necessary to assess the state of vital functions; the nature of first aid will depend on this:

- breathing: the normal number of breaths per minute in an adult is 16-20, in children - 20-23.
The victim may develop both rapid breathing (25-30) and rare breathing (8-10), which may indicate the development of shock; — pulse: it is better to feel it on the carotid (neck) or radial artery (in the place where the watch is worn).
Normally 60-80, in children 80-90. A rapid or slow pulse (less than 60), or irregular, may be a sign of shock; - reaction of the pupils: in healthy people, the pupil narrows in light and dilates in darkness.
If the victim's pupils are dilated and do not respond to light, this is a sign of a life-threatening condition. - skin: normally pink in color and warm to the touch. When fainting and bleeding, they become pale and cold. In case of severe respiratory distress and blood loss - cyanotic. Rescuers should have 5-10 seconds for such an assessment. Because in these cases every minute is important.

Resuscitation of a victim with signs of clinical death.

Each of the following signs is not the main and reliable sign of clinical death. The diagnosis is made when all or most of the following symptoms are present:

- absence of pulsation in large vessels (carotid or femoral). It is better not to check the pulse on the radial artery, since at systal pressure (upper) 50-60 mmHg. he is already disappearing;

- change in color of the skin and mucous membranes (appearance of pallor or, more often, pronounced cyanosis).

Clinical death is the period between life and death in which there are no clinical signs of life, but vital processes in the body are still ongoing. This is the period when a person can be saved. When providing resuscitation in the first 3 minutes, the probability of salvation is 75%; if the time extends to 5 minutes, the probability of salvation is 25%. And if it lasts more than 10 minutes, then it is already impossible to save the person. Because in seemingly a matter of minutes, a person’s brain dies.

General principles of resuscitation:

- the victim must be placed on a hard surface;

— a cushion is placed under the neck to prevent the tongue from sinking;

- indirect cardiac massage with artificial respiration. The ratio of the number of chest compressions and artificial breaths is 15 compressions per 2 breaths when assisted by one person, 5 compressions per 1 breath when assisted by two people. The total number of breaths is 12-16 per minute, chest compressions are 60-70 per minute. Blowing air should take 1-2 seconds. Punching the chest should be 4-5 cm, in children 2-3 cm and is done with the base of the palm of one hand. The massage is continued until cardiac activity is completely restored.

Signs of effective resuscitation:

- the appearance of pulsation in the carotid artery;

- the skin becomes pink;

- appearance of spontaneous breathing.

General principles of first aid in case of an accident.

- if there is no breathing, begin artificial respiration;

- in the absence of a pulse, perform indirect cardiac massage along with artificial respiration;

- treat wounds, apply a bandage. For fractures, apply splints.

Car first aid kit.

Dressings have been added to the new composition of car first-aid kits, since the previously included 3 bandages were not enough to provide assistance to even one victim. The exclusion of medications is due to the fact that in hot weather the temperature can reach 40-50 degrees Celsius. This is a very serious violation. At high temperatures, drugs can change their properties and be life-threatening. And drugs such as analgin and activated carbon have nothing to do with saving a person’s life.

The composition of the car first aid kit is designed to provide first aid for severe injuries that may threaten human life. The Law further states: “At the same time, the driver may, at his own discretion, store in the first aid kit medicines and medical products for personal use, taken by him independently or recommended by the attending physician and available for free sale in pharmacies.” In addition to the composition of the car first aid kit, recommendations for its use have been developed.

First aid in case of an accident: save a life

Have you ever thought about what you will look like when you die? What? Do you vaguely imagine a decrepit old man or woman in bed next to the bedside table with medicines? Alas, things could be much worse

It may turn out that at this moment you will look beautiful, young, in a good jacket or dress. Or maybe not very beautiful, for example, without a lower jaw, with a crushed skull, with a crooked scalp sewn together. And they will bury you in a closed coffin, quickly and without unnecessary pathos.

Although I'm sure no, you don't have such perverted fantasies as I do. And I have, because I have seen enough of people who are brought in after a car accident. Already standing at a bus stop, I can imagine the unfastened driver at the moment when the car falls on its side into a cliff, and he shakes himself out the window, and the whole one and a half ton colossus crushes him, releasing his intestines. I've seen that too.

And all because some people still haven’t realized that a car is not an adult toy, but a means of increased danger.

So how can you protect yourself from road accidents? Firstly, traffic rules are the bible that will protect your health and the health of your loved ones. The main thing to do is fasten your seat belts. And even more so, if you are good parents, then buckle your child in the car! Of course, you need to obey the speed limit. And one day my friend, a policeman, said: “Volodya, remember - everyone on the road is a fool! Any person has periods when he gets stuck, when he is inattentive, when he confuses the gas and brake pedals. Therefore, never be distracted from what is happening on the road and always be ready to react to the inappropriate actions of another fool.”

What to do if you see a car accident - are you obligated to help? Obliged! There is criminal liability for failure to provide assistance and leaving someone in danger. And even if the criminal code is not a decree for you, just be human, stop, find out if you need help. How can you help?

Procedure for providing assistance in case of an accident

1. The first thing to do is to ensure the safety of victims and rescuers. Be sure to install a warning triangle and warning lights. The sign is placed at a distance of at least 15 meters in populated areas and 30 meters outside.

Often, victims in shock fly under the wheels of passing cars, hoping that they will stop. And there are cases when the rescuers themselves are hit by a car at night.

2. Second, call rescuers: 0911 or 112, ambulance crew - 03 (from mobile: 003 or 030).

During negotiations, it is necessary to briefly describe the situation, the number, gender, approximate age of the victims, visible damage and the location of the accident. Leave your coordinates so that later they know who to give the medal for their help and can call back to clarify the location of the accident.

3. Third - direct help. It begins with the evacuation of the injured person from the car. Here you must remember the eternal rule: DO NO HARM!

Open the door, and if it doesn’t work, carefully knock out the glass and press the sash. Help the victim get out. If it's pinched, don't pull it out! If it didn’t work out, then wait for the rescuers, they have more capabilities. In this case, ensure the fire and electrical safety of the car: turn off the ignition, remove the terminals from the battery. Wrap up the victim, give an analgin tablet from the first aid kit.

If you are alone, grab the victim from the back, running your hands under his armpits, grab his forearms, pull the victim out so that his head lies on your chest (do everything calmly, without fuss, do not overdo it). Place it on a hard surface, without stones or unnecessary objects, and place a small cushion under your head.

Assess the degree of consciousness. If he is conscious, ask about his well-being, what worries him, is it hard to breathe, does he feel his limbs. Let him move his arms and legs.

Breathing and pulse

If the victim is unconscious, determine whether he is breathing? Breathing is determined by the rhythmic movements of the abdomen; listen with your ear to the movements of air near the mouth. Feel the pulse in your neck (use your index and middle fingers, starting from the corner of the lower jaw, move downwards until you reach the hole where the pulsation is most obvious. There is no need to press hard, do not block the blood flow).

If there is a pulse, but breathing suffers. Tilt your head back (not possible if you suspect a spinal fracture!), open your mouth, push your lower jaw forward. This will improve the airway in the vast majority of cases. If there are blood clots, mucus, or foreign bodies in your mouth, wrap your finger in a clean cloth and try to remove everything. In addition, you will find an air duct in the first aid kit. Thanks to it, airway patency can be improved. When you insert the air duct into your mouth, make sure that you do not tilt your tongue with the device.

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If there is no breathing, but there is a pulse , inhale into the victim, first holding his nose and putting a bandage on his mouth. Make sure that during inhalation the chest rises, and the passive exhalation is felt by the noise and movement of air.

There is no breathing, no pulse - you can’t hesitate and wait for help from doctors! This condition is called “clinical death”. You immediately need to carry out a set of resuscitation measures, which I will write about separately.

Injuries

If breathing and heartbeat are not currently affected, it’s time to pay attention to the skin. Are there signs of external bleeding? It comes in three types: capillary, venous and arterial.

1. Capillary bleeding is characterized by diffuse saturation of tissues with dark blood; it is not intense and not threatening. Stops with a simple pressure bandage (do not forget to treat the wound with a solution of iodine or brilliant green).

2. Venous bleeding is characterized by a constant, fairly intense flow of dark blood. After treating the wound, apply a pressure bandage. Bleeding can be easily stopped by lightly squeezing the tissue below the wound.

3. Arterial bleeding is intense, pulsating with scarlet blood.
Here delay is like death! As soon as you see such a wound, press the vessel firmly with your fingers. If the damaged vessel is superficial, then you will be able to stop the bleeding by strongly squeezing the tissue just above the wound. By the way, take gloves from the same first-aid kit; the infection has not yet been canceled. Take out the tourniquet. In case of arterial bleeding, a tourniquet is applied above the wound, tightly wrapped around the limb. Be sure to record the time of installation of the harness!

It often happens that, in a rush, rescuers forget that it is necessary to relax the tourniquet every half hour in winter and no more than an hour in summer, to allow the blood flow to temporarily restore and nourish the tissues - such patients are brought in ready for limb amputation.

While relaxing the tourniquet, apply finger pressure to the wound.

There is no tourniquet - use twists made of fabric (bandage, scarf, soft fabric), secured with a stick. You cannot make twists from ropes or laces.

Head wounds should be treated with an antiseptic and bandaged. Place the removed scalp back as best you can and secure with a circular bandage.

Penetrating wound to the chest. In this case, when the patient inhales, air is noisily sucked into the pleural cavity. Air will begin to fill the pleural cavity, compressing the lungs, heart, aorta and other organs, dramatically disrupting their function. To prevent this, you need to immediately cover the wound either with a sealing cloth from the first aid kit, or with a bag, plastic, or adhesive tape. It is better to fix the bandage while exhaling.

Wound in the stomach. It is easier for such patients when they bring their knees towards the body (transport them that way). If the wound is open, treat it with an antiseptic from the first aid kit and apply a bandage. We leave all penetrating foreign bodies (knives, glass, fragments) in place, fix them with a bandage so as not to cause more harm, and send them to a hospital facility. The surgeons will figure out what's what.

Patients with injuries are not allowed to drink or eat, no matter how much they ask! Only a doctor can give permission to eat. This is associated with the risk of anesthesia, the risk of aspiration with vomit, and in case of intestinal wounds - leakage of contents into the abdominal cavity.

Limb fractures. Pain, unnatural position of the injured limb, bone fragments in the wound indicate a bone injury. It is impossible to transport the patient without fixing such a limb, since fragments can damage the tissue surrounding the wound.

They use special medical splints, but you can also make do with improvised materials (skis, ski poles, boards), and place cotton wool or rags under them at the point of contact with the bone. It is necessary to fix at least two joints so that the limb is completely immobilized. The splint is applied over clothing after treating the wound. A bluish, cold limb may indicate excessive compression of the tissues with a bandage.

If a neck fracture is suspected - and now in case of any car accidents - a collar is placed on the neck. There is no special one - you can make one out of towels. In general, spinal cord injury patients are transported on a rigid surface, such as a door, on their back or on their stomach.

Today I have outlined to you the basic knowledge and skills very concisely and briefly, but they will also give you the opportunity not to get confused and not harm the victim, and if done correctly, even help.

Features of first aid in case of an accident

During a vehicle accident, the driver or passenger can be seriously injured. In this situation, timely assistance in case of an accident will help avoid complications and save a person’s life. It is important to correctly assess the situation and act in accordance with established recommendations.

What is first aid in case of an accident?

A motorist who is involved in a traffic accident must provide emergency assistance in the event of an accident. First, you will need to report the incident to a medical facility and provide the necessary information about the number of victims and the nature of the wounds or fractures received.

If people injured in a car accident are conscious and able to move without problems, you need to help them get out of the car. If there are no signs of life, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed. Providing first aid in an accident includes stopping hemorrhage (if any) and immobilizing a person who may have fractures.

General algorithm of actions

There is a unified algorithm of actions in case of an accident. Car enthusiasts should adhere to it:

  1. in the event of a collision, stop driving and get out of the car to determine the consequences;
  2. assess the presence of damage;
  3. designate the area where the accident occurred with special signs and emergency signals;

If more than 3 people are injured, they call not an ambulance, but rescuers. You also need to inform the Ministry of Emergency Situations when it is not possible to help people get out of a damaged car.

Providing first aid to victims of road accidents

To assist the participants in the accident, you need to help them get out of the car (this does not apply to cases where a spinal fracture is not excluded), determine whether signs of life are present (if not, then apply artificial respiration and chest compressions), and also stop the bleeding when it is present.

Removal from the vehicle

Providing first aid in an accident begins with helping the participants in the incident leave the damaged car. If people are not in a state of shock and are able to get out on their own, you just need to help them. When there are signs of a spinal fracture, you should not move the person. An exception is made only for those cases where there is a danger of death.

If a passenger is unconscious, proceed with caution. One person takes it under the armpits, the other – by the legs. Straighten your body, try not to bend your limbs. Support your head if it is thrown back.

Resuscitation actions

Artificial mouth-to-mouth respiration and cardiac resuscitation are used only when there are no signs of life (the person is not breathing, cardiac arrest has occurred). Check to see if there is a pulse and if the pupils react to bright light. You need to provide emergency assistance when you are sure that the person is in danger of dying.

If you plan to perform artificial respiration after an accident, then first of all you need to clear your airways.

After an accident, follow the following sequence of actions:

  1. place the person face up and place their head back in a tilted position;
  2. open your mouth, move your lower jaw forward a little;
  3. if there are foreign objects, dirt or blood in your mouth, clean it with a clean cloth (if possible);
  4. pinch your nose with your fingers and take 2 deep breaths into your mouth;
  5. place one hand on top of the other in the solar plexus area and vigorously apply sharp, jerky pressure (there should be 15 of them);
  6. alternate artificial respiration and chest compressions.

Use CPR until the person shows signs of life or an ambulance arrives. Then carefully turn it over on its side.

Stopping blood loss

The most dangerous thing in a road accident is excessive blood loss. When this happens, the victim may die immediately after the accident, even before the ambulance arrives. Measures to stop bleeding are carried out depending on what type of damage occurred. Arterial bleeding is dangerous. They are characterized by a bright scarlet color and blood flowing out like a fountain. Such situations will require applying a tourniquet from the first aid kit. It is placed on the area just above the wound and the vessel is pressed tightly. In the warm season, the tourniquet can be kept for 1 hour, in the cold season - half an hour.

In case of venous hemorrhage (the blood is thick and dark), a tight pressure bandage is applied below the wound. Write down the time you applied the tourniquet so as not to get confused. Otherwise, tissue necrosis will begin and amputation of the limb will be required.

Damage to bone tissue

Wounds cause trauma to bone tissue. When bones are injured or you suspect injury, you should be careful. If spinal fractures cannot be ruled out, the passenger cannot be removed from the car until a medical team arrives.

In this case, it is necessary to determine the type (open or closed), and also use a splint to immobilize the injured limb until paramedics arrive.

Anyone who witnesses or participates in an accident is obliged to provide assistance to the victims. First of all, it is necessary to call an ambulance, remove people from the car, and, if necessary, stop the bleeding or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Editor: Oleg Markelov

Rescuer of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Krasnodar Territory

Providing first aid to victims of road accidents

Cars are the most common means of transportation today. This is undoubtedly convenient, but at the same time it is fraught with danger. Numerous traffic accidents occur every day, including those involving pedestrians. Anyone should be able to provide first aid to a victim in a road traffic accident (RTA).

First aid in case of an accident

The procedure for providing first aid to victims of an accident:

  • Assess the safety of the situation for the rescuer. Before rushing to save the victim, look around to see if your life is in danger. Otherwise, there will be another victim at the scene. The threat is: broken wires, overhanging structures that can fall at any minute, and so on;
  • Call an ambulance or rescue team. If many people were injured in an accident, or the victim cannot be removed from the vehicle, then rescuers are immediately called. You must provide the exact location of the accident, the number of victims and your contact information;
  • Remove the victim from the car if possible. This must be done carefully; it is better if several people act. The person must be removed from the vehicle and taken to a safe distance if there is a risk of a fuel explosion or fire;
  • Assessment of the condition of the victims. If the person is conscious, ask how he feels, find out his complaints. In the event that a person is unconscious, then assess the presence of a pulse and breathing;
  • Provide all possible assistance : stop the bleeding, perform resuscitation measures, apply splints, and so on;
  • Wait for the doctors to arrive and do not leave the victims alone.

How to provide first aid to victims of an accident, watch the video:

Providing first aid

First aid in case of an accident is quite extensive and versatile. This is due to the fact that various pathological conditions occur: fractures, bleeding, burns, damage to internal organs, shock and others.

A person who provides first aid in a road accident must be able to assess the patient’s condition, perform resuscitation measures, and stop bleeding. Providing first aid (medical aid) to victims of road accidents consists of resuscitation, medication and transport measures.

Resuscitation measures

Resuscitation measures when providing first aid to victims of road accidents include artificial ventilation and chest compressions.

Resuscitation measures are carried out only if there are signs of clinical death:

  • Loss of consciousness;
  • Absence of heartbeat;
  • Lack of breathing;
  • Lack of reaction of the pupil to light, it is dilated.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed by witnesses of an accident, ambulance workers or rescuers. If ordinary people perform only general resuscitation, then medical workers may also refuse drug and instrumental resuscitation.

When providing assistance to victims of road accidents, in order for resuscitation measures to be effective, they must be performed correctly. First of all, the patient is given the correct position. It is necessary to consider in detail the algorithm of actions when performing indirect cardiac massage and artificial respiration.

Indirect cardiac massage

When performing closed cardiac massage, it is necessary to place the patient in the correct position. He must be laid on his back on a flat and hard surface.

Features of first aid in case of an accident during closed cardiac massage:

  • Determine the position of the rescuer's hands. To do this, feel the sternum and visually divide it into 3 parts. The hands are placed in the lower third 2 centimeters (2 fingers) above the xiphoid process;
  • Correct hand position. Hands are placed one on top of the other, first the non-working hand, and then the working hand. In this case, only the base of the palm touches the victim’s body, and the fingers should be raised up;
  • The patient's arms should be straight; they should not be bent at the elbow joints;
  • During compression (pressing on the sternum), it is necessary to use the strength of the entire body, but only the hands;
  • It is necessary to push the sternum by 4 - 5 centimeters;
  • The frequency of compressions is 60 – 90 per minute.

When performing indirect cardiac massage, it is necessary to check its correctness. While performing compressions, a second person should palpate the carotid artery. When performing a heart massage correctly, pressing on the sternum can feel the pulse wave on a large artery.

Artificial respiration

To perform artificial respiration, it is necessary to place the patient on his back on a hard, flat surface. You should tilt your head back a little and place a cushion under your neck. Artificial respiration can be performed in the following ways: mouth to mouth, mouth to nose, mouth to nose and mouth. This method is used in resuscitation of children under 1 year of age.

Algorithm of actions when performing artificial respiration when providing assistance:

  • Open your mouth and check the airway. If there are foreign bodies, clean the oral cavity;
  • A clean tissue should be placed over the patient's mouth and/or nose. This is done for hygienic purposes so as not to infect the victim or rescuer;
  • When performing artificial respiration from mouth to mouth, it is necessary to pinch your nose; when performing artificial respiration from mouth to mouth, fix the lower jaw in a closed position;
  • Take a normal breath and press your lips tightly to the victim’s mouth or nose and exhale normally;
  • The frequency of injections is 18 - 20 per minute.

Stop bleeding

Bleeding quite often occurs in road accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to stop any bleeding.

The following types of bleeding are distinguished::

  • Capillary . In this case, the blood loss is small, the blood is released in droplets, the entire surface of the abrasion bleeds;
  • Venous . Blood is released in a stream without pressure, its color is dark, burgundy;
  • Arterial . The most dangerous bleeding, which most often leads to death. The blood is released in a pulsating stream; it has a bright scarlet hue;
  • Parenchymatous . This is internal bleeding that occurs when a parenchymal organ (liver, spleen) ruptures.

If stopping capillary bleeding is not difficult, then in case of major bleeding it is necessary to perform correct, clear and coordinated actions.

Arterial

Arterial bleeding is very dangerous, since in a matter of minutes a person can lose the bulk of blood. Therefore, if such bleeding is detected, you need to act immediately. First of all, you should press the bleeding artery to the adjacent bone :

  • When bleeding from the temporal artery, the vessel must be pressed against the temporal bone of the skull;
  • In case of bleeding from the carotid artery - to the cervical spine;
  • If there is bleeding from the subclavian artery, press the vessel behind the collarbone to 1 rib. For convenience, the patient’s hand is placed behind the back;
  • If there is bleeding from the femoral or ulnar artery, press the vessel against the corresponding bone. If the femoral artery is damaged, it is necessary to press with a fist.

If there is bleeding from the lower leg or forearm, you can bend the limb at the joint. First place a small roll of bandages or any fabric into the articular fossa.

After some time has passed, if qualified help has not arrived, the tourniquet is slowly loosened so that circulation in the tissues resumes. After a few minutes, the tourniquet is applied again. It is very easy to check that the tourniquet is applied correctly. To do this, you need to feel the pulse below the place of compression with a tourniquet. In this case, there should be no pulsation.

Venous bleeding is less intense than arterial bleeding. But it has its dangers. Air can enter the veins due to pressure differences. This in turn leads to air embolism and death of the patient. Therefore, bleeding from the veins should be stopped immediately.

Algorithm for stopping venous bleeding:

  • Treat the edges of the wound with an antiseptic;
  • If the wound is deep, then insert a sterile cotton-gauze swab into it;
  • Sterile gauze wipes are placed over the tampon, several pieces at a time;
  • Place a roll of bandage on top of the napkins;
  • Now you need to start bandaging tightly, while the roll of the bandage and napkin should not move. As the bandaging progresses, the flow of blood decreases and disappears altogether.

After applying a tight bandage, the limb must be placed in an elevated position (above the level of the heart). This will help reduce blood flow to the wound.

First aid for fractures and dislocations

A fracture is a violation of the integrity of a bone. Dislocation is the separation of a joint. Fractures and dislocations are common in road accidents. Help in this case consists of pain relief and immobilization.

Fractures can be either open or closed. First aid for fractures is as follows :

  • Reassure the patient and assess his condition;
  • Perform immobilization using splints made from scrap materials. In case of a fracture of the tibia and forearm, it is necessary to fix the 2 nearest joints (ankle and knee, wrist and elbow) with a splint. When the hip and shoulder are fractured, 3 joints are fixed;
  • If there is a suspicion of a spinal fracture , then the patient is placed on his back, on a flat, hard surface. A cushion is placed under the lower back. And a Shants collar or roller is put on the neck;
  • Cold must be applied to the damaged area;
  • If the fracture is open , then it is necessary to apply an aseptic bandage and, if necessary, stop the bleeding;
  • If the pain is severe, then you can give an Analgin tablet. This prevents the development of a state of shock;
  • If a person is unconscious , then it is necessary to determine the pulse and breathing. If there is no pulse or breathing, immediately begin resuscitation measures. If the pulse and breathing are detected, then turn the person on his side (in the absence of a spinal fracture).

Algorithm of actions for victims of road accidents with dislocations:

  • Calm the person;
  • Fix the limb (apply a splint, autoimmobilization, hang the arm on a bandage). Under no circumstances should you adjust a dislocation yourself!
  • Apply cold to the sprained area;
  • Anesthetize as necessary;
  • If you lose consciousness, turn the patient on his side to prevent him from choking on vomit. If there are no vital signs, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

For more detailed information on first aid for fractures and dislocations, read the article.

How to help with burns

Burns can be of 3 degrees of severity. For burns of 1st and 2nd severity, the following manipulations must be performed :

  • Calm the victim. You can give tincture of valerian or motherwort;
  • The car first aid kit may contain Panthenol in the form of foam. It can be applied to a burn. It helps relieve pain and speed up the healing process;
  • Apply an aseptic bandage to the wound surface. No need to process, opening the bubbles is prohibited;
  • In case of severe pain, you can give an anesthetic drug (Ketonav, Analgin, Tempalgin).

In case of 3rd degree burns, the damage to soft tissues is deep, melted elements of clothing, plastic, and so on are observed in the wound. You can't go into the wound. It is also prohibited to handle it or remove foreign objects. Medical professionals will do this. In this case, you can apply a light bandage to cover the wound from the penetration of dust and germs.

Psychological help

A person who is involved in a traffic accident experiences extreme stress. Therefore, immediately after an accident it is necessary to provide all possible psychological assistance, which consists of the following:

  • Reassure the patient. Talk to him, distract him;
  • Give sedatives;
  • Stay close to the victim and support him until doctors and relatives arrive.

The rescue team includes psychologists who are ready to help victims in any emergency.

Victor Systemov - expert of the 1Travmpunkt site

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