What to do at an accident scene
Being the first person to arrive at a motor vehicle accident scene can be shocking, but there are some things you can do to help those who need assistance.
The first thing to remember is to always take your own safety into consideration before you do anything. You will be of no help to the person you are trying to aid if you get hurt as well.
You are required to stop at an accident scene if you are the first respondent. Park your vehicle safely on the side of the road and switch your vehicle’s hazard warning lights on; they will remain on even after you shut down your engine. Use an object, preferably your red warning triangle, as a marker on the road to alert oncoming traffic of trouble ahead.
Deon Broekman, Hazmat operator and fire chief of Rapid Response, advises that the next thing to do is to call 112. This is a toll-free number and always available. Operators will dispatch all necessary teams needed, be it for a fire or even traffic control.
“People usually have the urge to free accident victims from the wreck. This is only something to be done in extreme cases, such as when the vehicle has caught fire,” says Broekman.
The person in the wreck might be safer inside than being pulled from it with force. This could make existing injuries worse, or even cause new ones.
A person may seem fine and talkative, but as soon as they are removed from the wreck they may start bleeding from an injury. Whenever this occurs and is visible, Broekman advises to try and stop it.
It might save the person’s life. It is always handy to have a basic first aid kit in your vehicle with bandages and gloves for you to use.
As soon as emergency services arrive, step aside. Give them all the information you have gathered about the injured party and allow them to take over and do their job.
It might seem easier to just drive past an accident, but you could mean the difference between life or death for someone.
