Safety and Self-Protection in Road Accidents | Hazards, Risk Assessment and First Aid
Safety and self protection
In any emergency, first aid providers must always be aware of hazards and give first aid safely. A hazard is anything that poses a risk of injury or death to a first aid provider. There are three basic types of risks to be aware of:
The energy source that caused the original injury—is the mechanism that caused the original injury still active, causing injury to others? Example: where an injury has been caused by machinery, is the machinery still running?
There may be hazards caused by external factors. Example: passing vehicles may pose a risk at the scene of a motor vehicle incident
There may be hazards associated with first aid procedures or a rescue. Example: moving a heavy casualty could place the first aider at risk of injury.
Definition
Optimizing the safety of casualty(ies) or any other person means removing any danger that threatens them. Making the area safe is a prerequisite of any rescue action. However, first responders can only do this if they prioritize their own safety during the action.
What to do
Survey the scene for safety and recognize the dangers
Approach the road crash site with great caution to assess what immediate steps need to be taken: your safety is the first priority! Before taking any action, look all around and assess the presence of dangers which could threaten you and/or the casualty and/or any other person. Examples of dangers include fuel leaking from the vehicle, high voltage electricity, broken glass, fire, traffic or an unstable car.
Protect
If you can act without risk to your own safety, immediately eliminate the surrounding dangers. Do not move the casualty unless the situation is life-threatening, as you may cause further damage, especially in the case of neck and spinal injuries.
If the danger cannot be eliminated and if the casualty is unable to remove himself/ herself - Without endangering yourself, quickly remove the casualty is he/she is visible, easy to reach and if nothing is blocking or hindering his/her removal.
How to protect a road crash site?
As you approach the crash site, switch on your hazard lights and slow down or quickly identify a safe way to warn other drivers,
If you are in a vehicle, park it on the hard shoulder next to the crash or after the crash site to alert other vehicles to proceed with caution,
If possible, put on a high visibility jacket before getting out of your vehicle,
If the occupant is able to get out the vehicle without increasing the risk of further injury, help him/her to do so and move him/her to safety on the verge, behind the safety barrier, if there is one,
Whilst at the same time paying attention to safety, place a warning triangle or any other device (lamps, torches, white cloths,...) about 150 metres away on highway (20 to 50 metres in built-up areas) to prevent any further crash (see picture 1),
Prevent anyone from approaching if a danger persists (for example, transport of dangerous or inflammable substances identifiable by an orange sign on the vehicle),
Prevent anyone from smoking or using a lighter close to the crash scene,
Switch off the ignition and apply the handbrake if possible or put a solid object behind the wheels to prevent any movement,
Be aware that you need to look for any additional dangers such as fire etc.