Environmental hazards
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Before approaching the scene of an accident, assess the environmental hazards:
- to yourself;
- to people nearby;
- to the injured person.
Possible environmental hazards include:
- explosion;
- fire;
- electric shock;
- bullets;
- gas;
- toxic substances, fuels;
- instability of vehicles or other equipment;
- traffic;
- deep water reservoir bottom, etc.
If such a danger is imminent, call emergency services (firefighters, police, ambulance) and provide first aid only with their permission.
Sometimes you may be able to eliminate the hazard yourself, for example, by turning off the electricity or moving the injured person to a safe place.
It is important not to approach the injured person if you cannot eliminate the danger (e.g., large fire, toxic fumes). Transporting the injured person, especially if unconscious, in the face of environmental danger is difficult and usually can only be done by qualified personnel (emergency medical services, firefighters) with special equipment.
If it is necessary to move the injured person to a safe place and you can do so safely, move them to a safe place, assess the condition of the injured person, call emergency medical services and other services if necessary (firefighters, police), and provide first aid immediately.
Assistance in case of a traffic accident
Park your car:
- against the traffic, blocking the accident site from traffic flow, and illuminating it;
- no closer than 15 m from the accident site if it is safe, and no closer than 30 m if it is dangerous;
- uphill;
- against the wind.
- Turn on the emergency lights.
- Place emergency stop signs.
- Assess the danger, remove or, as much as possible, reduce it.
- Check if there are warning signs on the vehicle. If you do not know what the sign means, keep your distance, especially if something has spilled on the road.
- Before touching the vehicle, stabilize the wheels: use chocks, etc.
- Inside, engage the handbrake, turn off the ignition. If disconnecting the battery, start with the negative electrode.
- Open the windows and doors, if you cannot – break the window.
- Do not try to remove an injured person trapped in the vehicle unless there is an imminent danger to them.
- Look around, as the injured persons may have been thrown further away from the vehicle or may have moved further due to stress.
- If a motorcyclist or cyclist has had an accident:
- Do not move them unless there is a threat to them;
- Do not remove the helmet, leave it to the emergency medical personnel, except in cases where the injured person is unconscious and not breathing (see “Helmet Removal”).