What To Do When Arriving At The Scene Of An Accident

When arriving at the scene of an accident it is essential to have a plan so that you know what to do. The arrival at the scene forms any action that is taken before contact is made with the casualty / casualties. This can seem fickle, but unless a plan is in place mistakes could be made and lives could be potentially lost. There are no prizes for rushing in. Taking a deep breath and assessing the scene can help control a situation.

So first and foremost an overall assessment of the situation should take place. Are you even able to help at all? And could you become a casualty yourself? There are many thoughts that can quickly flick through the mind. The assessment of the environment is often a personal event that is thought through logically in the first aider's own mind. Once the assessment is complete a clear plan will need to be put into action.

Next it is important to clear any bystanders from the scene. This is not always applicable, but in a lot of accidents many people will gather, owing to a case of human curiosity. Sometimes it takes an assertive voice to help with the process, and it's a bonus if someone is on hand to help. Alternatively it can be an idea to put gawping bystanders to good use. In essence give them a job to do, which could potentially save time for the casualty. Examples of where a bystander could come in handy include running to fetch help, calling the emergency services or fetching an AED machine. The more hands there are on deck will prove beneficial.

Detective work also plays an important role when arriving at the scene of an accident. Anyone who is on the scene before you may have seen what happened. Asking them a few simple questions about the events could unlock the secret to the treatment protocol. This seems a bit obvious, but it shouldn't be underestimated how many times a first aider will find an unconscious casualty with no physical signs of injury / illness. Questions can also focus around whether anyone knows the casualty or their medical history.

In other situations a first aider may arrive at a scene where no one else is around. The first thing to do in this situation is to shout for help at the top of your voice. Contact can be made with the casualty without any help, but any assistance will prove invaluable. If no help comes then it is still worth shouting out at periodic intervals, in the hope that at some point someone will hear you.

Before moving on to the next stage, which is dealing with the casualty it is important to ensure there are no immediate dangers present. Firstly it is important that there is no danger to your own life. No first aider is of any use if they join the person they are trying to treat on the casualty list.


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Bill Casserley is an experienced first aid trainer, who regularly volunteers at major events. Would you know what to do at the scene of an accident? If not then visit the manual handling courses blog @ http://www.train-aid.co.uk for free life saving tips.



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