I saw a near accident 2weeks ago. It went like this:
A girl was dreaming along while crossing a road. At the same time a car came with moderate to high speed swerving through the bend, had to slap on the breaks and by swerving out narrowly missed the girl. The girl spun round and her right arm flew strait to her heart. It was quite a shock and not only for her but also for the driver as he pushed the horn big style to let of steam.
Anyway I was walking 10m behind her when it happened and suggested to myself what I would do if she wasn’t so lucky and been flying over the bonnet. Then I began to wonder what paramedics would have liked to see done and more importantly what they don’t like. As there are a thousand and one different injuries she could have had there are the same amount of scenarios available.
This is what I probably would have done:
Running towards the scene I would ring 112 and explain the scenario. Examine the girl first as she is probably the worst off (unless she’s screaming and the driver is silent) do doctor ABCD. If there no problems present with the vertebrae then I would try and move her away from immediate danger unless she has any complicated fractures. Then I would immobilize her.
Now this is the bit I am unsure about. In addition to my pocket FAK I carry tape and been trained to splint fractures. Tape is an ideal way of doing this (as is Clingfilm in case of e.g. broken clavicle) but would paramedics be happy with it? Or should I only preserve life and wait till professional help arrives?
Reinhardt Woets