Rules for providing 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:
- The injured person is carried (taken) to a safe place.
- If consciousness is present, a survey is carried out and the general condition, the presence of injuries and damage are assessed.
- 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.
- After resuscitation, the person is carefully examined and all visible injuries are determined.
- If possible, provide the victim with painkillers.
- For fractures, limbs are immobilized.
- Apply a tourniquet or tight bandage for severe arterial bleeding.
- Perform actions to prevent the spread of infection in the body by applying antiseptic bandages and dressings.
- They provide the person with the most comfortable and correct position, based on the severity and location of the injury.
- 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.
Algorithm for providing first aid in case of an accident
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Very often, the health and life of a victim in a car accident are in the hands of the person who happened to be nearby at that moment. Properly provided first medical aid (FAM) in case of a road traffic accident increases the chances of a favorable outcome several times. Let's consider what and how to do first if people were injured as a result of an accident.
Sequence of first aid in case of an accident
Providing first aid after an accident is not only a gesture of goodwill towards the victim, but also the responsibility of the road user, which is prescribed in the traffic rules. In particular, clause 2.6 of the Rules states:
“If people are killed or injured as a result of a road traffic accident, the driver involved in it is obliged to: take measures to provide first aid to the victims, call emergency medical services and the police.”
The main principle of providing medical care: “Do no harm!” In order not to aggravate the severity of the victim’s condition, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for providing emergency medical care:
- assess the condition of the person involved in the accident;
- call an ambulance. The best option is to call the unified emergency service «112». The dispatcher of this service will send doctors, traffic police, and firefighters to the scene of the incident. To call an ambulance in case of an accident, the dispatcher must provide the following information:
- the most accurate (if possible) location of the place where the accident occurred,
- number of victims,
- the nature of the injuries received,
- information about yourself: full name, phone number;
- remove the victim from the car if possible. If there is a possibility that these actions will worsen the patient’s well-being, then you should wait for the rescuers to arrive;
- begin resuscitation if the victim is in serious condition. First, factors that threaten human life should be eliminated:
- restore the respiratory process: clear the airways, perform artificial respiration and chest compressions,
- stop bleeding: apply a bandage or (in case of severe bleeding) a tourniquet;
- examine the victim for fractures and/or dislocations. If a limb is fractured, a splint should be applied.
An important point: the tourniquet must be applied to the limb above the wound injury. Be sure to record the time of application, write it down on paper and put a note under the tourniquet. This is necessary in order to promptly remove or loosen the tourniquet. Otherwise, with a lack of blood supply, an irreversible process of tissue necrosis may begin.
Before the ambulance arrives, the victim should be positioned according to the nature of his injuries:
- if there is a suspicion of a fracture of the spine or pelvic bones, the person must be laid on a straight, hard surface;
- if there are no injuries, but the victim is unconscious, then he must be laid on his side to avoid the tongue sticking into the airways and possible vomiting;
- if the stomach is injured, then the person should be placed on his back and support should be placed under the knees and under the back.
Upon arrival at the scene of an accident, the medical team should inform them of all first aid measures taken.
Responsibility for failure to provide first aid to the victim
The obligation to provide first aid is imposed on drivers (participants in road accidents) at the legislative level ( Traffic Regulations, Art. 2.6 ). Consequently, failure to provide first aid by these persons is an offense. Responsibility for this offense is regulated by the Criminal Code (CC) of the Russian Federation in Art. 125 :
“Knowingly leaving without help a person who is in a condition dangerous to life or health and is deprived of the opportunity to take measures for self-preservation due to childhood, old age, illness or due to his helplessness, in cases where the perpetrator had the opportunity to help this person and was obliged to know about him care or he himself put him in a condition dangerous to life or health.”
Punishment for failure to provide assistance to a victim under an article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation may be imposed by one of the following measures:
- fine up to 80 thousand rubles . or the cash income of the perpetrator for 6 months;
- correctional labor for up to 1 year;
- forced labor for up to 1 year;
- arrest up to 3 months;
- imprisonment up to 1 year.
It is worth noting that criminal liability can only be imposed on persons who have been involved in an accident. Witnesses and passers-by cannot be involved under Article 125 of the Criminal Code ; the provision of primary care is their voluntary decision.
Removing victims from a car during an accident
An accident is often accompanied by significant deformation of the car body, resulting in the blocking of injured citizens inside the car. In order to provide emergency medical treatment, it is necessary to remove the injured persons. It's better to do this together. This will minimize the risk of injury to the victim.
The procedure for removing a victim from a car after an accident:
- first you need to check: whether the victim’s health will be harmed during evacuation, whether he has a spinal fracture;
- you need to open the door if possible. If the door is jammed, but it is possible to open it using improvised means, then you should try to do this. If the victim is in the front seat, but the front door cannot be opened, you can pull him out through the back. To do this, you need to recline the back of the seat on which the victim is sitting. Important: if there is a suspicion that the victim has a broken spine, then you must wait for the rescuers to arrive;
- Place your hands under the victim’s armpits and with one hand grab his bent limb near the wrist. With your other hand, clasp the victim’s arm in the elbow area. This creates something like a secure grip-lock. Then you need to pull the victim out of the car. If the citizen is unconscious, then with the other hand you should not grab the victim’s arm near the elbow, but fix his head by the lower jaw;
- when the torso is almost out, the assistant should pick up the victim’s legs.
Compliance with the described rules will help to provide emergency medical care to the victim of an accident in a timely manner.
Composition of a first aid kit
Having a first aid kit in the car is mandatory. This is stated in the List ( Appendix to the Traffic Regulations ) of malfunctions and conditions under which operation of the vehicle is prohibited. Among these conditions is the lack of a first aid kit ( clause 7.7 ). Its absence is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles . ( Article 12.5, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO) ). At the same time, an important point is the fact that the first aid kit should be formed not at the discretion of the car owner, but according to the list approved by the Ministry of Health. The last time the composition was changed was in 2010 on the basis of Order of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry No. 325 as amended on September 8, 2009 .
Memo on first aid in case of an accident
consultation on the topic
First medical aid, provided correctly and in a timely manner at the scene of an accident, can have the most significant impact on the fate of the victim. This is all the more important because many traffic accidents occur on roads at a considerable distance from populated areas and medical facilities.
Preview:
First medical aid in case of an accident.
Basic requirement when providing first aid:
Required sequence of actions:
* Ensure your personal safety. A car with a gasoline engine burns out in 5 minutes, the threat of explosion is real. Your actions must be thoughtful.
* Evacuation of the victim. In a road accident, the cervical spine is most likely to be damaged. Improper removal of the victim can lead to his death.
* Determine the level of consciousness. Ask any question to the victim while simultaneously fixing his head: thumbs on the back of the head, index fingers on the sides, middle fingers on the corners of the lower jaw, ring fingers on the carotid artery to determine pulsation. Apply a cervical collar. Extract the victim as one unit. Check the pupil's reaction to light, breathing and heartbeat.
Signs: lack of consciousness, breathing and heartbeat, wide pupil.
The presence of these symptoms is an indication for resuscitation using the ABC system (patency of the upper respiratory tract, artificial respiration, cardiac massage). Actions:
* Place the victim on his back in a safe place on a hard surface.
* Eliminate blockage in the upper respiratory tract. It can be caused by a retraction of the tongue, a foreign body, swelling and spasm of the larynx, or trauma. Position of the head and chin: head back, chin forward, lower jaw moves forward.
* Assess breathing: if weak or absent, perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation, use artificial respiration devices.
* If there is no heartbeat, begin chest compressions.
The compression point of the chest is 2 cm above the lower edge of the sternum in the midline. The palm of the right hand is at the compression point. The palm of the left hand lies on top of the palm of the right. The fingers of both hands are fanned out and do not touch the chest. Arms straight. Compression depth is more than 3.5 cm.
Technique for carrying out resuscitation measures
If assistance is provided by one person, 15 compressions for 2 breaths, if by two, 5 compressions for 1 breath.
Constantly monitor the patient's condition: constriction of the pupil to light, the appearance of a pulse in the carotid artery, improvement in skin color, spontaneous breathing. All this indicates effective resuscitation. REMEMBER! If the patient is unconscious, but breathing and heartbeat are preserved, then as a whole (fixing the cervical spine with hands or a collar), you need to turn him onto his stomach and constantly monitor the airway, breathing and heartbeat. If these functions are impaired, immediately begin resuscitation measures.
* Stop external bleeding
* Apply a bandage to the wound.
* For fractures, apply a splint.
* Call an ambulance or any medical professional. Your goal is to save the life of the victim until medical workers arrive!
Bleeding is one of the manifestations of injury.
It can be internal and external. If you suspect internal bleeding, manifested by pale skin, cold sweat, increasing weakness, loss of consciousness, you need to lay the patient on his back with his legs elevated and urgently call a doctor. External bleeding is divided into:
* Venous - dark-colored blood is released in a continuous stream. It is recommended to apply a tight bandage to the wound surface.
* Arterial - the most dangerous type - is distinguished by the fact that bright scarlet blood is released in a powerful pulsating stream. The method of stopping bleeding is to apply finger pressure to the damaged vessel above the wound site, followed by applying a tight bandage. If bleeding continues, apply a tourniquet for no more than 1 hour, recording the time of its application.
* Capillary bleeding is observed with a significant wound defect of the skin. The entire surface of the wound bleeds. To stop it, it is recommended to use a hemostatic sponge and a tight bandage.
Fractures are divided into open and closed.
Signs of a closed fracture: severe pain, a sharp increase in pain when moving or trying to lean on the injured limb, deformation and swelling at the site of injury.
Signs of an open fracture: deformation and swelling of the limb at the site of injury, the presence of a wound, bone fragments may protrude from the lumen of the wound.
Actions.
* Apply a splint, fixing it to the joint above and below the injury site.
Do not try to set bone fragments!
According to the degree of damage, burns are divided into 4 degrees.
1-2 degrees - redness of the skin, the appearance of blisters.
Grade 3-4 - the appearance of areas of charred skin with copious discharge of bloody fluid.
Actions:
For 1-2 degree burns, place the burned surface under running cold water as quickly as possible, apply a clean, dry bandage, and apply cold air over the fabric.
For 3rd-4th degree burns, cover the burn area with a sterile cloth and apply cold on top of the cloth.
For extensive burns, lay the victim with the wound surface up, cover the burn with a clean cloth, apply cold on top of the cloth, numb the pain, give plenty of fluids, call an ambulance.
Entry of a foreign body into the upper respiratory tract.
Signs: sudden cough, choking, vomiting, profuse lacrimation, the face turns red, then turns blue, loss of consciousness.
REMEMBER! You have 3-5 minutes to provide assistance. Actions:
* Hit the interscapular area several times with an open palm. If there is no effect, stand behind the victim’s back, clasp him with your arms so that the victim’s clasped hands are above the epigastric region, and sharply press on the epigastric region with clasped hands.
* If the patient is unconscious, turn him on his back, try to reach the foreign body with your hand and sharply press on the epigastric region.
Attention! In any case, you should immediately contact a medical professional.
Causes: high ambient temperature, lack of air, emotional stress, internal bleeding, acute cardiovascular disease.
Actions:
Check for consciousness, breathing, and heartbeat.
If they are absent, begin resuscitation measures using the ABC system.
Loss of consciousness is short-term (up to three minutes), heartbeat and breathing are preserved: lay the patient on his back, raise his legs, unbutton the shirt collar, loosen the tie and waist belt, provide air access.
Let the ammonia vapor inhale. If the patient loses consciousness for more than three minutes, turn the patient on his stomach, clear the upper respiratory tract, and apply cold to the head.
Observe breathing, heartbeat, call a medical professional immediately. REMEMBER! In all cases of loss of consciousness, you should consult a doctor.
C travel seizure.
Causes: epilepsy, hysteria.
Signs of epilepsy: sudden loss of consciousness followed by a cry before falling, convulsions, foam at the mouth mixed with blood, wide pupils, preserved pulse in the carotid artery, involuntary urination.
Actions:
* Turn the patient on his side.
*Press his shoulders to the floor.
* Insert a thick roller made of fabric or rubber between the molars.
* Ensure the safety of the patient (high risk of injury), call a medical professional immediately.
Chest pain.
Attention!
The pain is pressing, burning, cutting in nature, located in the center of the chest or in the left half of the chest, radiating to the back and arms, accompanied by weakness and cold sweat. Cause: acute cardiovascular disease.
Actions: Provide the patient with maximum rest and access to fresh air. Place a nitroglycerin capsule under your tongue. The pain does not go away within 20 minutes - repeat a capsule of nitroglycerin under the tongue. Call a doctor immediately.
Reason: disruption of the digestive tract.
1. Pain in the upper abdomen of a dull, encircling nature.
Actions: cold, hunger, rest, taking no-shpa and festal.
2. Pain in the right hypochondrium.
Actions: cold, rest, taking no-shpa.
3. Pain in the pit of the stomach, heartburn.
Actions: taking Maalox.
4. Pain around the navel is cramping, loose stools, nausea, vomiting.
Actions: taking festal and immodium.
REMEMBER! If you have abdominal pain, you should not take painkillers without consulting a doctor. Abdominal pain may be a sign of severe abdominal disease. If the recommended measures have no effect, you should consult a doctor.
The appearance of a pinpoint rash on the skin, itching, increasing swelling of the eyelids and lips.
Cause: allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction can be caused by taking medications, foods, or insect bites.
Actions:
*Put cold on the bite or injection site.
* Take 2 Tavegil tablets.
* Contact your doctor immediately.
A description of the effect of medications, indications for their use, and dosages are indicated in the instructions for using the car first aid kit.
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.
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.
First medical aid in case of an accident.
The main requirement when providing first aid: DO NO HARM!
Required sequence of actions:
- Ensure your personal safety. A car with a gasoline engine burns out in 5 minutes, the threat of explosion is real. Your actions must be thoughtful.
- Evacuation of the victim. In a road accident, the cervical spine is most likely to be injured. Improper removal of the victim can lead to his death.
- Determine your level of consciousness. Ask any question to the victim, while simultaneously fixing his head: thumbs on the back of the head, index fingers on the sides, middle fingers on the corners of the lower jaw, ring fingers on the carotid artery to determine pulsation. Apply a cervical collar. Extract the victim as one unit. Check the pupil's reaction to light, breathing and heartbeat.
Clinical death.
Signs: lack of consciousness, breathing and heartbeat, wide pupil.
The presence of these symptoms is an indication for resuscitation using the ABC system (patency of the upper respiratory tract, artificial respiration, cardiac massage). Actions:
- Place the victim on his back in a safe place on a hard surface.
- Clear blockage in the upper respiratory tract. It can be caused by a retraction of the tongue, a foreign body, swelling and spasm of the larynx, or trauma. Position of the head and chin: head back, chin forward, lower jaw moves forward.
- Assess breathing: if weak or absent, perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation, use artificial respiration devices.
- If there is no heartbeat, begin chest compressions.
The compression point of the chest is 2 cm above the lower edge of the sternum in the midline.
The palm of the right hand is at the compression point. The palm of the left hand lies on top of the palm of the right. The fingers of both hands are fanned out and do not touch the chest. Arms straight. The compression depth is more than 3.5 cm. Resuscitation technique
If assistance is provided by one person, 15 compressions for 2 breaths, if two breaths are used, 5 compressions for 1 breath.
Constantly monitor the patient's condition: constriction of the pupil to light, the appearance of a pulse in the carotid artery, improvement in skin color, spontaneous breathing. All this indicates effective resuscitation. REMEMBER! If the patient is unconscious, but breathing and heartbeat are preserved, then as a whole (fixing the cervical spine with hands or a collar), you need to turn him onto his stomach and constantly monitor the airway, breathing and heartbeat.
If these functions are impaired, immediately begin resuscitation measures. Actions:
- Stop external bleeding
- Apply a bandage to the wound.
- Pain relief.
- For fractures, apply a splint.
- Call an ambulance or any medical professional. Your goal is to save the life of the victim until medical workers arrive!
Bleeding.
Bleeding is one of the manifestations of injury.
It can be internal and external. If you suspect internal bleeding, manifested by pale skin, cold sweat, increasing weakness, loss of consciousness, you need to lay the patient on his back with his legs elevated and urgently call a doctor. External bleeding is divided into:
- Venous - dark-colored blood is released in a continuous stream. It is recommended to apply a tight bandage to the wound surface.
- Arterial - the most dangerous type - is distinguished by the fact that bright scarlet blood is released in a powerful pulsating stream. The method of stopping bleeding is to apply finger pressure to the damaged vessel above the wound site, followed by applying a tight bandage. If bleeding continues, apply a tourniquet for no more than 1 hour, recording the time of its application.
- Capillary bleeding is observed with a significant wound defect of the skin. The entire surface of the wound bleeds. To stop it, it is recommended to use a hemostatic sponge and a tight bandage.
Fractures.
Fractures are divided into open and closed.
Signs of a closed fracture: severe pain, a sharp increase in pain when moving or trying to lean on the injured limb, deformation and swelling at the site of injury.
Signs of an open fracture: deformation and swelling of the limb at the site of injury, the presence of a wound, bone fragments may protrude from the lumen of the wound.
Actions.
- Pain relief.
- Treat the wound.
- Apply a splint, securing it to the joint above and below the injury site.
Do not try to set bone fragments!
Burns.
According to the degree of damage, burns are divided into 4 degrees.
1-2 degrees - redness of the skin, the appearance of blisters.
Grade 3-4 - the appearance of areas of charred skin with copious discharge of bloody fluid.
Actions:
For 1-2 degree burns, place the burned surface under running cold water as quickly as possible, apply a clean, dry bandage, and apply cold air over the fabric.
For 3rd-4th degree burns, cover the burn area with a sterile cloth and apply cold on top of the cloth.
For extensive burns, lay the victim with the wound surface up, cover the burn with a clean cloth, apply cold on top of the cloth, numb the pain, give plenty of fluids, call an ambulance.
Entry of a foreign body into the upper respiratory tract.
Signs: sudden cough, choking, vomiting, profuse lacrimation, the face turns red, then turns blue, loss of consciousness. REMEMBER! You have 3-5 minutes to provide assistance.
Actions:
- Strike the interscapular area several times with an open palm. If there is no effect, stand behind the victim’s back, clasp him with your arms so that the victim’s clasped hands are above the epigastric region, and sharply press on the epigastric region with clasped hands.
- If the patient is unconscious, turn him on his back, try to reach the foreign body with your hand and sharply press on the epigastric region.
Attention! In any case, you should immediately contact a medical professional.
Loss of consciousness.
Causes: high ambient temperature, lack of air, emotional stress, internal bleeding, acute cardiovascular disease.
Actions:
Check for consciousness, breathing, and heartbeat.
If they are absent, begin resuscitation measures using the ABC system.
Loss of consciousness is short-term (up to three minutes), heartbeat and breathing are preserved: lay the patient on his back, raise his legs, unbutton the shirt collar, loosen the tie and waist belt, provide air access.
Let the ammonia vapor inhale. If the patient loses consciousness for more than three minutes, turn the patient onto his stomach, clear the upper respiratory tract, and apply cold to the head.
Observe breathing, heartbeat, call a medical professional immediately. REMEMBER! In all cases of loss of consciousness, you should consult a doctor.
Convulsive seizure.
Causes: epilepsy, hysteria.
Signs of epilepsy: sudden loss of consciousness followed by a cry before falling, convulsions, foam at the mouth mixed with blood, wide pupils, preserved pulse in the carotid artery, involuntary urination.
Actions:
- Turn the patient onto his side.
- Press his shoulders to the floor.
- Insert a thick cloth or rubber roller between the molars.
- Ensure the patient's safety (high risk of injury), call a medical professional immediately.
Chest pain.
Attention! The pain is pressing, burning, cutting in nature, located in the center of the chest or in the left half of the chest, radiating to the back and arms, accompanied by weakness and cold sweat.
Cause: acute cardiovascular disease.
Actions: Provide the patient with maximum rest and access to fresh air. Place a nitroglycerin capsule under your tongue. The pain does not go away within 20 minutes - repeat a capsule of nitroglycerin under the tongue. Call a doctor immediately.
Stomach ache.
Reason: disruption of the digestive tract.
1. Pain in the upper abdomen of a dull, encircling nature.
Actions: cold, hunger, rest, taking no-shpa and festal.
2. Pain in the right hypochondrium.
Actions: cold, rest, taking no-shpa.
3. Pain in the pit of the stomach, heartburn.
Actions: taking Maalox.
4. Pain around the navel is cramping, loose stools, nausea, vomiting.
Actions: taking festal and immodium.
REMEMBER! If you have abdominal pain, you should not take painkillers without consulting a doctor. Abdominal pain may be a sign of severe abdominal disease. If the recommended measures have no effect, you should consult a doctor.
The appearance of a pinpoint rash on the skin, itching, increasing swelling of the eyelids and lips.
Cause: allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction can be caused by taking medications, foods, or insect bites.
Actions:
- Apply ice to the bite or injection site.
- Take 2 Tavegil tablets.
- See your doctor immediately.
A description of the effect of medications, indications for their use, and dosages are indicated in the instructions for using the car first aid kit.
Published June 9, 2005
Key words: first aid in case of an accident , rules for providing first aid , medical assistance in an accident , how to provide first aid