Simple Actions SAVE LIVES

Bystanders can save lives.

Van and truck drivers could save lives by knowing what to do in the event of a collision, consultant nurse Rob Fenwick told delegates to National Highways Commercial Vehicle Safety on the Strategic Road Network Conference.

One-third of trauma incidents resulting in emergency hospital treatment happen on the roads, and 22,000 people each year suffer life changing or serious injuries.

Fenwick reminded the audience that during his 20-minute talk, someone in the UK would be killed or seriously injured on the road.

However, van and truck drivers can play a crucial part in helping to save some of these lives – not only by driving safely and avoiding collisions but by knowing what action to take if they are first on the scene of a crash.

Medical entrapment

Since the 1990s received wisdom said that people involved in road traffic collisions should not be moved for fear of exacerbating any potential spinal injury. Fenwick says this has deterred first aiders and first responders from addressing immediate issues such as clearing airways, stopping bleeding or moving the person to a secure off-road location.

However, these small actions can be vital to saving lives, Fenwick told delegates. His team’s EXIT study into the injuries sustained in vehicle collisions found that of 70,000 patients only 0.7% had spinal injuries. And of those 0.7% half of them had other life threatening conditions which should take priority.

As a result the advice to avoid moving injured individuals for fear of causing spinal damage has been changed.

“You are not going to hurt someone further by moving them to safety or opening their airway,” says Fenwick.

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The time to make a difference

When a collision occurs, there is a time between a 999 call being received and emergency responders reaching the site. There is also a time interval for their return trip to hospital.

However, the crucial time that hurt individuals are still at the scene of the crash can be key to survival and recovery. This is when vital life-saving actions can be taken.

Most collision victims need basic care immediately:

Check their airway – can they breathe? A blocked airway can kill in less than 4 minutes. Even the quickest ambulance response will be much longer than that.

Are they bleeding? If so, apply pressure with clean cloth, or pack the wound. Raising a bleeding limb can help to slow bleeding. Bleeds are the most common cause of post-crash death .

“Mindset is very important,” says Fenwick. “We must feel empowered to do what we can.”

If patients can get out of the vehicle, then they should be escorted out of the vehicle and moved to somewhere safe off road.

• Check the person’s legs can move

• Clear any obstruction to their exit

• Open doors fully

• Escort them to safety

One in 10 patients is physically trapped within the vehicle – these have a higher fatality rate (9%) than those who leave the vehicle (5%).

Making a 999 call

Make a 999 call from safety (ie not in the path of oncoming traffic)

Answer the operators’ questions clearly. They will need to know:

• How many vehicles are involved

• How many people are injured

• The location

• Whether anyone is trapped within the vehicle (as this will require a specific response team)

Making a great 999 call ensures that the right emergency response personnel and vehicles are despatched straight away.

Conclusion

If fleets educate those who drive for work about what can be done to help those involved in road traffic collisions, then far fewer people will die in those collisions. Fleet operators can impart basic life-saving skills, including how to make a great 999 call, and empower road users to know they can make a difference.