First Aid in Road Accidents |
Many deaths and impact of injuries can
be prevented with First Aid if
causalities are treated immediately.
First aid is the initial care given to
an injured person. Mostly, this timely
care prior to the arrival of the medical
help means the difference between life
and death. It must start
immediately when the injury or
illness occurs and continue until
medical help arrives or the casualty
recovers |
 |
The basic aims of first aid are : |
1. To save life.
2. To protect the casualty from getting more harm.
3. To reduce pain and priorities of Casualty Treatment.
|
Priorities of Casualty Treatment: |
-
Asphyxia
-
Cardiac Arrest
-
Severe Hemorrhage (Bleeding)
-
Other Injuries/Illnesses
-
Shock
|
Immediate Requirement : |
Critical four minutes :
One of the most common causes of a
road accident death is due to
loss of oxygen supply. This is
mostly caused by a block airway.
Normally it takes less than four minutes
for a blocked airway to cause death.
The 'golden hour'
: The first hour after the
Trauma is called the 'golden hour'. If
proper first aid is given, road
accident victims has a greater chance of
survival and a reduction in the severity
of their injuries. |
In case of Wound : |
 |
The job of first-aider is to remove or
reduce the problems that hamper healing
such as dirt, infection, movement, etc.
Leave the wound undisturbed. Clean the
wound by washing them with running
water. If there are splinters, thorns
and pieces of glass inside the wound
remove them with a pair of tweezers so
as to avoid infection. |
In case of Profuse Bleeding : |
 |
The easiest way to stop bleeding is to
apply direct pressure on the wound. This
can be done with any clean folded cloth.
Lean on the wound with the heel of the
hand instead of your fingers. |
In case of a Fracture : |
 |
In case of a fracture do not apply
direct pressure; instead use a splint,
combined with as gentle pressure
bandage. It is safer not to give the
patient anything to eat and drink. This
is to protect the patient from vomiting
in case he needs anesthesia and surgery,
or has a head injury.
If the wound on the arm or the leg is
bleeding profusely, it can be raised.
This reduces the blood flow to the
wounded area. |
In case of Chest or Abdomen injury : |
 |
In abdominal wounds the intestines may
come out. The only thing you can do as
first-aider is to cover the wound with a
very wet clean cloth and get the patient
quickly to a hospital. The wet cloth
will keep the intestine from drying out,
and will stick to the intestine. |
In case of Chest or Abdomen injury : |
 |
Open wounds of the chest could be
sucking in the air, making it hard for
the patient to breathe. Covering of the
wound with a piece of polythene and
putting a bandage on the top of this may
help to reduce air being sucked into the
chest. Get the patient quickly to
hospital |
In case part of a Limb is cut off : |
 |
If a part of the limb has been cut off
it may be possible to reattach it to the
body. Put it inside a clean polythene
bag and place this bag in another bag
with cold water. If you can easily get
ice put some in the water to keep it
cool. Make sure that the limb does not
get soaked in water. If nothing else is
available, carry the amputated part in a
clean cloth quickly to hospital.
In large crush injuries or in amputation
avoid washing the wounds, as it will
lead to more blood loss. Just cover the
wound with clean cloth and tie a
pressure bandage quickly. If possible
keep the limb raised. Avoid using raw
cotton wool to cover a wound as it gets
stuck to the wound, and is difficult to
remove and delay healing. |
In case of an Eye Wound : |
 |
Do not attempt any cleaning or washing
of an open eye injury. Cover the eye
with a clean soft cloth; place a stiff
covering on top to prevent any pressure
coming on the eye. This is important
because the contents can be squeezed out
even through a very small wound. |
In case Bleeding from Nose : |
 |
Bleeding from nose could also mean a
head injury. If the patient is conscious
and can sit up, ask him to pinch his
nose and breathe through his mouth. If
he can lean forward, then that could
prevent blood from going to his wind
pipe choking him. If the patient is
unconscious he should lie with the face
to one side, for the blood to come out
easily, so that there is no choking.
|
In case of Bleeding from Ear : |
Bleeding from ears mean either injury to
the ear alone, or serious head injury.
Avoid putting anything in the ears to
stop bleeding as this could further
damage the eardrum. Get the patient to
lie down with the injured ear facing
down.
|
In case of Injuries to Muscles, Bones
and Joints : |
When muscle joints or bones get injured,
blood collects over the area, and a
swelling appears. You can reduce the
swelling by bringing down the bleeding.
Apply cold water or ice packs if
available. It reduces local blood flow
and this brings down the internal
bleeding and swelling. But remember not
to keep ice packs on more than ten
minutes at a stretch as this will lead
to something like frostbite, and not to
place ice directly on skin. Always wrap
it in a cloth first. A muscle injury can
be made less painful by putting a splint
on the injured limb.
|
In case of Broken Bones and Dislocated
Joints : |
A fracture or dislocation can be
confirmed if there is obvious deformity,
abnormal mobility, if the limb cannot be
moved at all and if a grating feeling is
there. First aid for all fractures and
dislocations must aim to reduce
movement, which will give relief from
pain. Splinting should be done with
caution.
|
Shifting the Injured to the Hospital : |
1 |
Ensure that he is not hurt more.
|
2 |
The patient should be carried on
firm board of stretcher so spine
remains stable. |
3 |
While shifting, the patient's
back, neck and airway need to be
protected from further injury.
So always take help of another
person. |
4 |
If the patient is unconscious,
gently place a large folded
cloth or towel under the neck so
that the neck doesn't sag
against the ground. |
5 |
The vehicle used to carry the
patient to the hospital should
have enough space to keep the
patient's back straight and the
person accompanying should be
able to care for and resuscitate
the patients if necessary. |
6 |
During transportation keep a
watch on whether the patient's
airway is clear, whether the
patient is breathing and whether
you can feel the pulse in the
patient. |
7 |
If there is only one limb injury
the patient can be safely taken
to hospital on a chair in a
sitting position. Take care to
splint or protect limb injuries
or bleeding. |
|