Some accidents can be very traumatic when a first aider is faced with the gruesome reality of the extent of injuries, the many decisions to be made and the priorities that need to be determined. The personal impact on the first aider can be very dramatic. If at any time a first aider is suffering from a posttraumatic incident contact the local community health department or the first aider's local doctor.

What to Do First

• DRS ABCD
• Ensure the safety of yourself, bystanders and the casualty/casualties.
• Protect the casualty/casualties at all times.
• If road accident you must avoid oncoming traffic and organise for bystanders to stop or slow the traffic.
• Turn on the hazard lights of your vehicle and those of any vehicles involved in the accident if possible.
• Park your car to protect the scene.
• Ensure that there are no electrical lines down. If there is, stay well clear from the incident wait for the emergency services to make safe.
• Check how many casualties are involved.
• For vehicles involved in the accident turn the ignition off, apply the handbrake, remove the keys and leave them on the floor.
• DO NOT disconnect the battery of a damaged vehicle.
• DO NOT allow casualties or bystanders to smoke.

General Treatment for Trauma Accidents

• Carry out a primary survey on all casualties to help determine priorities of treatment.
• Treat all life threatening injuries first.
• Carry out Secondary Survey and any subsequent Treatment.
• Monitor the casualty's vital signs and inform the ambulance officers when they arrive.

Motorbike Accidents

Be aware of the increased risk when treating a casualty from a motorcycle accident because of the chance of the casualty having a life threatening injury. A conscious casualty can remove their own helmet, otherwise leave the helmet on the casualty unless they are having breathing problems or are unconscious and the first aider needs to carry out DRS ABCD.