Search Webindia Home  |   Directory | Message Boards  |  Clubs New!,

HELP THE ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS

Did you know that our roads claim more than 70,000 lives every year? Every individual death or injury is a great tragedy- for the victim, the family, friends and the society too. But this carnage on roads has perhaps ceased to make any impact on the people at large.  But in case we say that `around 200 jumbo jets crash on our skies every year, killing all on board’ it will be termed as a disaster and people will sit up and take notice.  (Assuming that a jumbo jet carries 350 passengers).

The deaths on roads are termed as ‘accidents’. Driving a car, riding a motorcycle, or crossing the road, all involve a certain risk of injury, or even death. As such one expects anyone and everyone using a road in any form to be extra cautious and careful to avoid or minimise these risks. But some people compound these risks and increase the chances of being injured or being killed or injuring or killing someone else on the roads.

According to an estimate at least one person is killed on the roads of each of our metros each day because of delay in providing first aid or delayed admission to a medical facility. Doctors point out that at least 50 percent of these fatalities can be averted if the victims are admitted to a hospital with in the “golden hour”. However, in case the road accident victim is lucky enough to reach a hospital, his worries are still not over. In western countries once an accident victim reaches a hospital, only one percent of the deaths are unpreventable. In our country this figure is an appalling 41 percent. Valuable time is lost in completing medico- legal formalities.

For an accident victim, it is important that he is provided basic first aid, which enables him to survive, till he reaches a hospital. People though willing to help, just stand and watch. But if you want to help, stop and think what you can do. First call an ambulance. In this age of IT revolution you are never far from a phone. A mobile is sure to be around.

While you are summoning an ambulance keep the following in mind:

• Be precise about the location of the accident.
• Convey only what has really happened and not your speculation about it.
• In case you are able to gather any medically important information like the victim being a diabetic, presence of blood pressure abnormalities and allergy to certain drugs from the victim himself, this can also be conveyed to the paramedics on board the ambulance once it arrives.
• If you are able to ascertain the name and address of the victim, do convey the information to his near and dear ones.
• Do not ever leave the victim unattended. His / her condition may deteriorate suddenly.
• Ensure that the victim does not become a spectacle.
• Keep bystanders away from the victim.
• The victim can become upset or go into a shock by their looks and comments.
• Take measures to reverse life- threatening situations, but don't try to be heroic.
• Maintain your mental equilibrium and be in self- control.
• Do not meddle with the scene of crash.
• In case diversion of traffic is required, please do so, but see that a traffic cop arrives on the spot to take charge of the situation.
• And remember; do not give painkillers, alcohol, other drinks, food or cigarette to the road accident victim.

It is instinctive for anyone on the scene of an accident to feel that the victims must be removed from the wreckage, but unless they are in danger from a fire or explosion or any other life-threatening situation, do not move the injured persons. If the casualties have internal head, neck or spinal injuries, moving them could paralyse them. Depending on whether spinal injuries are suspected or not, each patient needs to be lifted in a particular manner. An untrained person can actually make things worse. Remember not to violate the instructions or wishes of an accident victim, unless it becomes a matter of life and death.

You can also work to make the scene of the accident safe. Turn off the ignition switches of the crashed cars. You can use the headlights of other cars to light up the area. Make sure nobody smokes at the site of the accident. In case some power lines have fallen, keep people clear of them. If power lines are touching a car, stay away. Get help from the electricity authority.

Providing first aid to an accident victim is legally binding in many countries. Besides legal binding it is also our social responsibility to help someone in distress. There is very little awareness about post accident effects among the general population. There is an urgent need to launch a sustained campaign about road accidents and how to cope with them. Little basic steps would go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of a lot of accident victims and help them to live and live a better post- accident life.