When assessing the situation, you must decide who needs help first. A victim who is screaming in pain may catch your attention, while another victim who is quiet because they are unconscious is easily ignored. The most important thing for an accident victim’s survival is to keep their airways open to ensure breathing and the supply of oxygen. If a person is making a noise, it means they are also breathing, while the quiet victims may be in greater distress, and their breathing must be checked.
First response
- Park your vehicle somewhere safe.
- Switch on the hazard lights and put on your high-visibility vest.
- Make sure you stay safe!
Assessing the situation and calling 112
- Assess the situation and call 112 for help.
- Always follow the instructions given by the operator.
- Do not finish the call until you are permitted to do so.
- Which of the victims needs help first?
Life-saving measures
- First save those who are in immediate danger and, if necessary, move them.
- Clear their airways.
- Turn unconscious persons into the recovery position and perform CPR on unresponsive victims.
- Stop heavy bleeding.
Safety
- Take the warning triangle at 200–300 metres’ distance from the scene of the accident. It is important that the triangle is placed far enough to give other drivers enough time to react.
- Beware of undeployed airbags.
- Switch off the engine of the car involved in the accident.
- Look after the victims, keep them warm (by covering them with clothes or blankets) and keep an eye on their condition.
- Do not leave the scene until you are permitted to do so.