Correct procedure for injured motorists

[jake1029]

What is the correct protocol concerning motorists that have been injured in a car collision? Should they be moved if there is a possibility of injury, etc...

[Citicop]

I'm not moving anyone. We wait for the medics.

[JakeLock]

I protect the area and the victim. I never move unless there is some other imminent threat, IE car on fire...

[smcc360]

I was taught that you move them only if the probability of injury where they're at exceeds the possibility of injury caused by your moving them. The example given was a motorist seated in a car that's beginning to burn up.

[DeltaV]

I was taught that you move them only if the probability of injury where they're at exceeds the possibility of injury caused by your moving them.

+1

Someone who is bleeding severely, not breathing, or does not have a hearbeat is an example of someone else we would move and treat. You can't attempt CPR on someone seated in a vehicle, nor can you easily control severe bleeding.

Other than that, if they are conscious and breathing and the scene is safe, they stay until the fire department extracates them.

[MDEMT280]

I was taught that you move them only if the probability of injury where they're at exceeds the possibility of injury caused by your moving them. The example given was a motorist seated in a car that's beginning to burn up.

Agreed, and very well stated.

I'll add, if you do move someone, attempt to move them in a manner that is least likely to aggravate an injury, and move them the least amount that is necessary to allow you to provide aid, remove the patient from the hazard, etc.

It's all an exercise in risk management (yeah, I never should have taken that safety officer course...)

[mcsap]

In my 22 years on the street , I have never had to remove an injured person from a car for any reason. ( unless I was helping the medics). And I am not going to change doing this.

[Hockey9019]

First thing

Scene safe? Car burning, you hear screams, but remember, your no good if your dead, or anything else


Second thing


BSI-Body Substance Isolation-Gloves



Oh, sorry just going through my EMT stuff :p

If a person can't be moved from the car, and your not an EMT, and there is no risk of fire, explosion or anything, leave them. If they can't get out. If they also complain at ANY time of neck pain, back pain, anything, do NOT move them. Even if they want to. Talk them out of it. I'm not going to reccomend, because I'm not sure what level you are trained, or your state regulations, but I would hold C-Spine (Google it if you don't know what I'm talking about) till medics arrived. Don't make them move. Remember, keep an eye out for dangers. Do a full walk around.

If they are bleeding, like majorly, create a dressing, (shirt whatever), and apply pressure to it. Don't hold it for like a second, you need to hold it for a bit so it can clot.

Basically, provide life SAVING care if need be (Bleeding-pressure, Cardiac arrest, all depends). Also, if they complain of pain, neck/back, tell them not to move.

So if your sitting there waiting for Medics/FD to arrive, just sit there and talk to the person. 2 things that are important for you to remember, is don't become a casualty. Your safety is number 1. The other thing is stay CALM. When you are no longer calm, you don't think. If you THINK, you will cover both of the important things.



Anyway, it really all depends. Use common sense. Go take a first aid course/cpr if your not already. Never know when you might use it.

So your question, if you pull up on scene, and the person is stuck in their car, and you can't get the door open, or they can't physically get out of their car, let the FD/EMS deal with them. Just stay with them, be a good witness/listener, and keep them and yourself calm.


I think I kind of rambled on...

[newtosmalltown]

Isn't it true that the wings have never won the stanley cup in any year they have received the president's?

I can't find that statistic anywhere but I think that I remember hearing that a few years ago.

GO WINGS!

[normal1]

Isn't it true that the wings have never won the stanley cup in any year they have received the president's?

I can't find that statistic anywhere but I think that I remember hearing that a few years ago.

GO WINGS!

what in the..?

[Hockey9019]

what in the..?

What? Hes new to small town ;) :p

[noelchabanel]

First thing

Scene safe? Car burning, you hear screams, but remember, your no good if your dead, or anything else


Second thing


BSI-Body Substance Isolation-Gloves



Oh, sorry just going through my EMT stuff :p

If a person can't be moved from the car, and your not an EMT, and there is no risk of fire, explosion or anything, leave them. If they can't get out. If they also complain at ANY time of neck pain, back pain, anything, do NOT move them. Even if they want to. Talk them out of it. I'm not going to reccomend, because I'm not sure what level you are trained, or your state regulations, but I would hold C-Spine (Google it if you don't know what I'm talking about) till medics arrived. Don't make them move. Remember, keep an eye out for dangers. Do a full walk around.

If they are bleeding, like majorly, create a dressing, (shirt whatever), and apply pressure to it. Don't hold it for like a second, you need to hold it for a bit so it can clot.

Basically, provide life SAVING care if need be (Bleeding-pressure, Cardiac arrest, all depends). Also, if they complain of pain, neck/back, tell them not to move.

So if your sitting there waiting for Medics/FD to arrive, just sit there and talk to the person. 2 things that are important for you to remember, is don't become a casualty. Your safety is number 1. The other thing is stay CALM. When you are no longer calm, you don't think. If you THINK, you will cover both of the important things.



Anyway, it really all depends. Use common sense. Go take a first aid course/cpr if your not already. Never know when you might use it.

So your question, if you pull up on scene, and the person is stuck in their car, and you can't get the door open, or they can't physically get out of their car, let the FD/EMS deal with them. Just stay with them, be a good witness/listener, and keep them and yourself calm.


I think I kind of rambled on...

A++

If the car isn't on fire, under water, person isn't bleeding to death, in cardiac arrest (assuming you know CPR) or otherwise has an immediate life threat, DON'T move them, if they have the wrong kind of injury it could paralyze or kill them. And even if it is on fire, etc. remember: we don't want to wind up with you being a new patient.