Wondering how NZ emergency services handle 'biker accident' situations. As you will see from the following, a tragedy happened as procedure was not right for the task:
UK: South Central Ambulance Service is to change how 999 calls for motorbike accidents are handled, following the death of a young motorcyclist.
Guy Evans, 17, died in 2008 following an accident. When his friends called 999, the operator did not tell them to attempt first aid or check whether he was breathing, instead querying whether there was a chemical spillage from the bike.
An inquest concluded that Evans probably suffered from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, causing his heart to stop. However it has been admitted that errors were made in the way the call was handled. Emergency operators across the South Central region will now be trained to ensure callers check whether motorbike crash victims are breathing.
Evans mother, Beth Chesney-Evans said “I’ve accepted there would have only been a slim chance of resuscitating Guy, but there was a window of opportunity of three or four minutes.” She added “These changes are very significant, and I hope they will save other peoples’ lives. If his death has helped make the system better for other people, then that’s a tribute to him and a comfort for us. I’m grateful to the ambulance service that they were willing to listen and learn.”
The ambulance service is service is pressing the International Academy of Medical Priority Dispatch to review the medical guidance given to call-handlers. Ambulance service spokesman Alison Brumfitt said: “We’re grateful for anything that makes us more aware of the circumstances of accidents and make changes as a result.”
Do your emergency service operators ask if the rider is breathing? If not, might be worth passing this on and asking for action to be taken.
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Originally Posted by Bob
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