Basic first aid knowledge can save lives at collision scenes. While professional medical training is recommended, understanding emergency response priorities helps you provide effective assistance.
St. John Ambulance Recommendations:
All drivers should carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and know how to use it. Consider reading a book about first aid or sign up for a first-aid course. It could mean the difference between life and death in a collision.
First Aid Response Priorities:
1. Scene Safety - Ensure your safety and the safety of others first
2. Check Responsiveness - Determine if victims are conscious
3. Call for Help - Emergency medical services must be contacted
4. Airway Management - Clear breathing passages if trained
5. Breathing Support - Provide rescue breathing if certified
6. Bleeding Control - Stop serious bleeding with direct pressure
7. Shock Treatment - Keep victims warm and comfortable
8. Monitor and Reassure - Stay with victims until help arrives
Basic First Aid Techniques:
If you are trained in first aid, treat injuries in the order of urgency, within the level of your training. For example:
- Clear the person's airway to restore breathing
- Give rescue breathing if certified
- Stop bleeding by applying pressure with a clean cloth
- Immobilize suspected fractures
- Treat for shock with blankets or clothing
Untrained Response:
If you are not trained in first aid, use common sense:
- People in collisions often go into shock
- Cover the person with a jacket or blanket to reduce shock effects
- Provide comfort and reassurance
- Keep victims still and calm
- Do not move injured people unless in immediate danger
- Monitor breathing and consciousness
- Relay information to emergency services
What NOT to Do:
- Don't move injured people unless absolutely necessary
- Don't give food or water to injured victims
- Don't remove objects embedded in wounds
- Don't assume someone is okay because they're walking around
- Don't leave seriously injured people alone
- Don't attempt procedures you're not trained for
Emergency Equipment Recommendations:
Keep these items in your vehicle:
- First aid kit with bandages, gauze, tape, scissors
- Emergency blanket or warm clothing
- Flashlight for nighttime emergencies
- Gloves to protect from blood-borne pathogens
- Emergency contact numbers
- Cell phone for calling help
Psychological Support:
Provide emotional support to collision victims:
- Stay calm and speak reassuringly
- Explain what you're doing to help
- Keep them informed about help coming
- Listen to their concerns
- Protect their privacy and dignity
- Help contact family members if possible
Training Opportunities:
Consider taking courses in:
- Standard First Aid and CPR
- Emergency Scene Management
- Psychological First Aid
- Wilderness First Aid (for remote areas)
St. John Ambulance recommends first aid kits and training for all drivers
First aid knowledge can mean difference between life and death
Consider first aid book or course for proper training
Scene safety first - ensure your safety and others' safety
Check responsiveness, call for help, manage airway if trained