(1.) Don’t panic.
(2.) Assume command (someone has to). (3.) Assess the situation …
Any injuries?
How many?
How bad?
(4.) Delegate specific people to do specific things; particularly with road accidents. Block traffic or divert vehicles on one side of the accident (many a minor injury has been converted to a major one through a car ploughing into the injured person on the road). Send someone to phone police and someone else to phone for an ambulance.
(5.) Move the patient out of danger if it is not practicable to block the traffic. If you worsen the injuries by moving the victim, this is better than the injured — or yourself — being killed by another car.
(6.) Remember the A-B-C of saving lives …
A is for airway. Is he breathing? If not, start artificial respiration. If breathing, check whether it is easy or labored respiration. If he is unconscious and lying on his back, lift his lower jaw upwards and forwards. This lifts the tongue, stopping it from falling back and blocking the airway. Take out false teeth!
 is for bleeding. Look for bleeding, then stop it. Direct pressure will nearly always stop brisk haemorrhage. Put your THUMB on it, or your hands. Pads and bandages are great, but take time. Remember. NO TOURNIQUETS!
Ñ is for conscious state. If unconscious, check the airway as above, turn the head to one side, or, if there is no other apparent injury, place the patient on his side, so that in case of vomiting the vomitus cannot enter the lungs.
R … to that A-B-C let’s add an “R” — Re-assess! Keep going back over the A-B-C.
*624/71/1*
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