Written By: Kriti Saraswat | Published : October 12, 2014 2:15 PM IST
In today's Satyamev Jayate episode, the focus was on road accidents and how timely measures can save lives. There were several instances shared by the audience which highlighted the fact that people did not willingly come forward to help any injured person lying on the road for the fear of undergoing the long-drawn process of hospital formalities, police case, etc. But the fact is, providing first aid during this hour of need can help save lives of those injured in the road accident. To do so, one must know what to do in case they come across one. Here a few first aid measures one can take to help the accident victim.
Firstly, call for an ambulance or the police so that they can be rushed to the hospital at the earliest.
Next, it is important to check if the injured person is breathing or not. To help them breathe better, you can make them lie on their back. You should open their mouth to check if there is something which is blocking their breathing and if so, remove or clean it with a cloth. There are other ways such as the EAR and CPR to help the victim breathe normally.
Check if there is any bleeding. If there is, try and control it by applying pressure with a cloth in your hands on the injured area. Do not try and make the person sit or stand, they could have fractures which could get worse. But if the person is puking or bleeding from the mouth, you can turn them on their side to avoid choking.
Make sure not too many people surround the injured person. It is also important that they are handled with care. If you are taking them to the hospital, make sure they lie straight on their back. You can add support under their neck by rolling a towel and keeping it there. Do not try to move them too much. Talk to them and ask them their name, etc. to see how they respond. It is also an indicator that they do not have a severe head injury if they respond properly.
Do not try and feed them or give them water as this could lead to choking too. As soon as the ambulance arrives, ensure that they are put on a stretcher and that their breathing is constantly monitored. Once you reach the hospital, it is mandatory that the accident victim gets immediate medical care. According to the Supreme Court, the hospital cannot delay first aid for reasons such as the absence of someone to sign their form or any other procedural delays. Also read about emergency treatment and complications in a road accident.
Read Aamir Khan's road safety tips to drive safely and avoid such accidents in the first place.
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