Basic First-Aid to Administer at an Accident Scene

In the chaotic moments after a car accident, you may be faced with one of the most frightening situations imaginable: someone is injured, and you are the first person there to help. The urge to do something—anything—is powerful. But in a high-stakes medical situation, the most helpful actions are often the simplest ones, and knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

This guide is not a substitute for professional medical training. It is a simple framework to help a bystander or a minimally injured person manage a scene safely until trained professionals arrive. Your primary role is not to be a hero, but to be a safe, calm, and effective link in the chain of survival.

Remember: The most important thing you can do for an injured person is to call 911 immediately.

Useful Information for You: In a Nutshell

• Your Safety First: You cannot help anyone if you also become a victim. Ensure the scene is safe from traffic and other hazards before you attempt to help.
• Call 911 Immediately: This is the most critical action. Provide a clear location and a description of the injuries.
• Do NOT Move an Injured Person: Unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., from a fire), never move someone who may have a head, neck, or back injury. You could cause permanent paralysis.
• Focus on the ABCs: Check for Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (severe bleeding).
• Control Severe Bleeding: If a person is bleeding heavily, apply firm, direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or piece of clothing.

The Action Plan: Before You Help, Call for Help

Follow a prioritized action plan.

1. Ensure Your Own Safety (Danger)

Before you rush to help, stop and assess the scene. Is there oncoming traffic? Is there smoke or fire? Are there downed power lines? Do not enter a scene that is unsafe for you. Protect yourself first, then call for help.

2. Call 911 (Send for Help)

This is the single most important intervention you can provide. Give the 911 operator your precise location and a calm report of the situation and the number of people injured. Put your phone on speaker so you can follow their instructions while keeping your hands free. The dispatcher can walk you through the next steps.

Assessing the Injured Person: A Basic Guide

If you have determined the scene is safe to approach, you can perform a very basic assessment.

1. Check for Response

Speak to the person in a loud, clear voice. “Can you hear me? My name is [Your Name]. I’m here to help.” Gently tap their shoulder. If they do not respond, they are unconscious and need immediate emergency medical help.

2. The Critical Rule: Do NOT Move Them

Car accidents often involve significant force that can cause spinal injuries. Moving a person with an unstable neck or back injury can sever the spinal cord and cause permanent paralysis or death. The only exception to this rule is if the person is in immediate, life-threatening danger, such as from a vehicle fire. Otherwise, wait for paramedics, who are trained in spinal immobilization.

3. Check the ABCs: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

• Airway: If the person is unconscious, check to see if their airway is clear.
• Breathing: Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing. Is their chest rising and falling? Can you hear or feel their breath? If they are not breathing, the 911 dispatcher will provide instructions for CPR if you are willing and able to perform it.
• Circulation (Controlling Severe Bleeding): This is the area where a bystander can make the biggest difference. If you see a wound that is bleeding heavily:
  • Apply Firm, Direct Pressure: Take a clean cloth, towel, shirt, or any available fabric and press it firmly and directly onto the wound.
  • Maintain Pressure: Do not remove the cloth, even if it soaks through with blood. Add more layers on top and continue to apply firm pressure until help arrives. This simple action can be life-saving.

Your role at an accident scene is to be a bridge to professional care. By staying calm, ensuring the scene is safe, calling 911, and providing basic aid like controlling bleeding, you are doing everything right.

The trauma of witnessing and responding to serious injuries can have a lasting impact. After the immediate crisis is over, know that the emotional and legal recovery process is just beginning. If you’ve been involved in a serious accident in the Tacoma area, search the Car Accident Lawyer Directory Tacoma. Find a compassionate and experienced local attorney to handle the complexities of your claim so you can focus on your own recovery.

References

• The American Red Cross – “First Aid Steps”:An authoritative guide from a leading organization that details the basic steps for responding to a medical emergency, including the “Check, Call, Care” model.

  https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/performing-first-aid/first-aid-steps

• MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) – “First aid”:A trusted government resource providing clear, simple instructions for a wide range of first-aid scenarios, including bleeding control.

  https://medlineplus.gov/firstaid.html

• StopTheBleeed.org:A national campaign providing detailed guidance on how to control severe bleeding, a critical skill for any emergency.

  https://www.stopthebleed.org/