Guide on How to Help Victims of Traffic Accidents

When you witness a traffic accident firsthand, do not panic and be rash in providing assistance. Make sure you are safe first, then pay attention to the situation and the possibility of giving first aid to the victim. Actually first aid for victims of traffic accidents, generally only temporary. The effort you give to the victim is solely intended to prevent the victim's condition from getting worse, while waiting for the arrival of medical personnel.

Methods of Helping Victims of Traffic Accidents

It is important to help others who have experienced an accident. But before giving help, first consider the conditions experienced by the victim. As a guide, there is a method for helping victims of traffic accidents, called Dr’s ABC, which stands for Danger, Response, Shout (for help) Airway, Breathing, Circulation. The following stages:

• D (danger)

Make sure you are in a location that is not dangerous. Potential hazards that may still occur are fires, toxic gas leakage, or commotion in the surrounding communities. Note that first aid cannot be done as long as you yourself risk becoming a victim of an accident or a follow-up event.

• R (response)

Check the victim's response by tapping her shoulder and asking short questions, such as "What's your name?" Or "Can you open your eyes?"

• S (shout for help)

You are advised to contact the medical immediately so that the victim is quickly given further assistance. The emergency assistance number that can be contacted is 118 to call an ambulance and 112 to contact the police. Provide information related to the victim's condition, for example whether the victim is experiencing heavy bleeding or not, has difficulty breathing or not, responding or not when invited to speak.

If possible, you can continue the ABC method to help victims of traffic accidents, which consists of:

• A (airway)

You can seek help by placing your hand under the victim's chin and lifting the chin forward (chin lift) to open the airway. Place your hand on the victim's forehead and push back (head tilt) if the chin maneuver does not help.

• B (breathing)

Make sure the victim is truly breathing for at least 10 seconds. Check his breathing by seeing the ups and downs of the chest, hearing, and feeling the sound of breathing. If the victim is unconscious, but still breathing, tilt her body. However, make sure the position of the head, neck and spine, stay straight. Watch the victim's breathing until the medical officer arrives.

• C (compression)

Chest compressions can also be called CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), can be done if there are no visible respiratory signs on the victim and no pulse is found. If the victim is an adult, press your hands in the center of the victim's chest. Press with a depth of about 5-6 cm, strong and fast. If the victim is a baby, just press using your two fingers, with a pressure that is not too strong. However, you should do this if you really understand how, to prevent the risk of worsening the victim's condition.

Risk of traffic accidents happen anytime and anywhere. Knowledge of first aid is very important as a personal provision, both to be used for oneself and to help others. In addition, also prepare an emergency telephone number in a notebook or store it in your cellphone.