On average, more than 400 people die in road accidents across India every day. Many of these deaths can be prevented if the victim gets immediate first-aid. Apart from physical damage, the psychological trauma of an accident can scar the patient for the rest of their life and it is a matter of shame that in India, the necessity of psychological support to patients, is highly neglected. On World Trauma Day today, 17 October, we want to emphasise on the importance of saving and protecting a life during the most critical moments as well as prepare and apply critical measures to deal with and avoid trauma fatalities.

A Good Samaritan - Need of the Hour to Save a Victim

The period immediately after an accident is crucial in trauma cases. But in a country like India where manoeuvring through traffic even for an ambulance is not easy, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan. Every second count and the role of bystanders and emergency staff is vital. However, with poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, saving a life has become highly difficult. One only needs to provide the initial first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Usually, after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims can breathe. Therefore, doctors and paramedics feel the need to train the general public on a few key techniques such as prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust.

Things to Do Before the Arrival of Ambulance

  1. Be calm and do not panic. This will help you and the victim to take rational decisions.

  2. Asses the accident spot to understand if the accident involves only a single person or there are more victims. Be careful and check for leaking CNG and petrol pipes, live wires or broken glass to prevent any further risk of injury.

  3. Then call the emergency service and share the exact spot of the accident so that they do not waste time looking for the victim.

  4. If there aren’t too many people on the road, try and stop other cars or bikes for help. Request other bystanders to help you.

  5. Then check the last dialled number from the victim’s phone or check for frequently called numbers or names and let them know about the accident.

  6.  If you know or are trained to give CPR do it if the victim is unconscious. If it involved a car accident, search for a first aid kit inside the car or take help from the bystanders.

  7. Try and assess the condition of the victim. If the victim is not responding, immediately take the victim to the nearest hospital without waiting for the ambulance. Just be sure to take care of the neck and the head portion.

  8. Then help keep the traffic moving and make space for the ambulance to come. You should also warn the oncoming traffic and let drivers know that there is an accident so that they avoid the area.

Let us pledge today, to be safe on the roads, to be aware and calm, and to stop and lend a helping hand.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2019 12:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).