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1. Stop! You can help
Knowing just a few basics could help keep someone alive until an ambulance arrives.
2. Stay safe and keep calm
Assess the situation: what are the dangers? (These might include approaching traffic, leaking petrol, broken glass etc).
- Make sure you stay safe: keep off the road. If you need to stop approaching cars, signal to them from the pavement.
- If you are in a car and you come across an accident, first park safely and turn off the engine before you get out to help. Use a hazard triangle if necessary.
- Get help from bystanders.
3. Check airway
- If it is safe to approach the injured person, do so, but don’t move them. Learn how to open an airway Check for a response – talk to them and tap them gently.
- If there’s no response, shout for help.
Check the casualty's airway: put your hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back.
- Gently lift their chin with two fingers.
- Check if they’re breathing by listening and feeling for breath on your cheek. See if their chest is moving up and down.
- If they’re not breathing normally, you will need to start cardio pulmonary resuscitation. Learn how to resuscitate
4. Stop bleeding
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©InfoSevere bleeding can cause shock so it’s important to stop the blood if you can. Learn how to deal with bleeding
- Use a piece of clean cloth and press on the wound, raising the wound as you do so. Use a dressing if you have one.
- If the person is in the car and you can treat them there, do so. Do not move them unnecessarily.
- If they go into shock, loosen tight clothing and keep them warm. Lie them down and raise their legs.
5. Call 999
©InfoDo this as soon as you can or get someone else to do it while you deal with an injured person.You will need to tell the emergency services:
- where you are
- what has happened (describe the accident)
- how many people are injured
- whether they are breathing or bleeding.
The operator will talk you through what to do while you wait for an ambulance to arrive.
