Crash scenes. What to do.

**Mikkel** · 19th October 2008, 20:26

Unless you have had any proper first aid training there are exactly four things you can do at an accident scene. Listed by priority:

1. Stop the accident - make sure no more people get caught up in the mess. Make sure to put markers before blind corners, etc. Turn off engines still running if applicable.

2. Call the emegency services - and as was said, try to stay calm when you do so.

3. Exercise psychological first aid (requires but a microgram of empathy).

4. Don't obstruct the work of the emergency response unit when it gets there.

General good advice: Don't panic and try and stay detached if at all possible.

If you'd like someone with knowledge of first aid to be present if you ever come to grief, then you should go out and do a first aid course tomorrow. Karma and all... (besides, you can become mortally wounded without becoming totally incapacitated so even through egoistical reasoning it's not a bad idea).

One thing though - fire is a general exception to any and all rules. If something is burning drag people away (nevermind neck injuries, internal bleeding, etc) and try to put it out. Fire is always bad news.

Whether this thread is a pisstake or not I don't care - but this is my serious advice if you encounter an accident scene.

**James Deuce** · 19th October 2008, 20:43

This has been done before. I stand by my most recent contribution to the quality body of knowledge already present on KB.

Don't Stop.

**Mikkel** · 19th October 2008, 20:46

Originally Posted by James Deuce

This has been done before. I stand by my most recent contribution to the quality body of knowledge already present on KB.

Don't Stop.

It's certainly not the worst of approaches... as long as you don't have any trouble sleeping at night.

And it harmonises quite well with my advice about remaining emotionally detached from the situation too.

**Katman** · 19th October 2008, 20:47

Originally Posted by Mikkel

It's certainly not the worst of approaches... as long as you don't have any trouble sleeping at night.

I've always found beer helps with that.

**MadDuck** · 19th October 2008, 20:49

Originally Posted by Katman

I've always found beer helps with that.

Bourbon works just as well too so I hear

**Katman** · 19th October 2008, 20:52

Originally Posted by MadDuck

Bourbon works just as well too so I hear

Ah yes, that too.

**jrandom** · 19th October 2008, 20:53

I should also note here that severe spinal-column injuries, with the concomitant combination of high mortality and immediate paralysis, offer unique challenges for onlookers, but also unique opportunities - the additional flexibility of the soon-to-be-corpse makes it far more straightforward to put the rider's head between their legs, thereby allowing them to kiss their arse goodbye.

**Swoop** · 19th October 2008, 21:35

Originally Posted by Goblin

I mean is it really necessary to poke and prod an injured person to make them scream?

Yes, most definately if it involves an injured politician.

**Hitcher** · 19th October 2008, 21:50

http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=p8njwud5kLY

**The Lone Rider** · 20th October 2008, 00:05

And after you have finished guaging the situation, phoned the emergency service, and got the alive more comfortable.. don't forget to say a prayer, ask them what religion they would like their service done in, and then make small talk to keep them distracted.

**Trudes** · 20th October 2008, 05:51

Originally Posted by dpex

As a matter of fact it does, Trudes. Dead things don't blink, or otherwise protest when you poke them in the eye.

It does what? Are you talking about poking people in the eye for a reaction? I didn't mention anything about doing or not doing that, so what are you on about?

**El Dopa** · 20th October 2008, 09:57

Originally Posted by Speedie

Dont make holes in peoples throats, they will get real pissy later on.

Didn't realise there was a direct connection between throat and bladder.

**JMemonic** · 20th October 2008, 10:52

Originally Posted by Storm

3) Send for help- send someone to a phone/task them to ring 111. (Pick someone who's in a lucid state and can give a concise description)

22 posts before someone states this little nugget, and then its at number 3, it should be number 1 or at worst 2 after making sure you are safe yourself, god folks you cannot control traffic preform cpr etc by yourself, get help, and if you know first aid then mores the better but still get help

**Griffin** · 20th October 2008, 12:09

DPex, after reading this thread... more accurately, after reading the first post... I have decided to take up prayer in the hope that if EVER I have the misfortune to be in an accident, you (or anyone who has taken your post as gospel) are several hundred kilometres away with no means of transport.

As a currently practicing Paramedic I would urge anyone wjith the inclination, who hasnt already done so, to investigate doing a first aid course through a reputable trainer.

There are however some good points raised muddled in with the rest of this garbage... Mikkels is one such post.

I can add that one of the largest hurdles we as Emergency Personnell face in situations like this is 'scene location' especially when its in a sei rural / rural area with fewer landmarks... if your the one to make the call please try to be as precise as possible - maybe someone on the scene is a local who knows the areas road names and can identify to our call centres exactly where the accident is at.