Emergency Response: Roadside Accident Procedures
General Guidelines for Action in an Accident
- Protect the scene.
- Alert the emergency services.
- Assist the victims.
Protect the Scene
We must make sure the crash site is safe, and must care for our own safety and that of the injured:
- Mark the area of the accident, especially if it is dark or if visibility is reduced (accident on a curve, fog, heavy rain, etc.).
- Control the spectators of the scene; they normally clog and hamper relief efforts for victims. Organize who can help.
Alert Emergency Services
In any accident, it is necessary to alert the emergency services (police, civil guard, Red Cross, firefighters, etc.) by the quickest means (e.g. a phone call). The person giving the alarm must always indicate:
- The exact location of the accident: road, kilometer point, distance to the nearest town, landmarks, or if in town, street and nearest house number.
- The type of accident and circumstances that may aggravate the situation (vehicles taking over the road, fire hazards, trapped injured individuals, downed electricity poles, vehicle submerged in water, etc.).
- The number of wounded and their apparent condition.
Help the Victims
- Act quickly while maintaining calm. Do a body count, considering the possibility of hidden victims.
- Do not necessarily attend to the first accident victim we meet or who “cries more”, but follow the order of priority to benefit most from our actions. Victims may be unaware that they need priority attention.
- Perform an initial site evaluation of the injured. Take extra precautions in handling the accident, as at this stage we do not know for sure what happened. We could cause further damage and worsen their condition.
Objectives can be summarized as follows:
- Ensure the maintenance of life (control of vital signs).
- Do not aggravate the general condition of the victim or injuries that may occur.
- Ensure their safe transfer to a hospital.
Likewise, the lifeguard is based on two fundamental premises:
A) Peace of Mind: Often in an accident, it is important to “keep your nerve”. Moved by haste, even well-intentioned actions can be wrong. You need to do only what you are sure of. If unsure, it is better not to act.
B) Scene Assessment: After the accident, we must define the reality of it and its possible consequences. Since virtually every situation is different (no two accidents are the same), we should remember some simple guidelines for action that allow us to conduct proper and effective work.
The Lifeguard
- Rescues the injured.
- Provides First Aid.
- Seeks medical assistance.
Understanding First Aid
The term “first aid” is broader than the traditional “first aid”. It includes accident prevention and the first aid to be given to the person concerned.
Faced with a sudden emergency where life is threatened, it is demonstrated that the resolution of the case depends largely on the first health response given (the set of techniques used to preserve the life and health of a victim in the absence of medical staff).