Accidents and First Aid
Behavior in Case of Accident and First Aid
Knowing how to act in a traffic accident is not only a legal obligation but a moral duty that can save lives. The fundamental premise is that help must be fast, but calm and effective.
If you witness an accident or are involved, your actions must be governed by the PAS Rule.
1. The PAS Rule (Protect, Alert, Succor)
The order of action is strict. We cannot skip steps, as we could become new victims.
| Phase | Main Action | Important Detail |
|---|---|---|
| P - PROTECT | Self-protection and protection of the place. | Stop vehicle in safe place, turn off engine, turn on hazard lights, put on vest before getting out and place triangles/V-16 signal. |
| A - ALERT | Call 112. | Provide clear data: exact location, number of injured, their status, and special circumstances (dangerous goods, trapped people). |
| S - SUCCOR | Help victims. | Only if safe and necessary. Do not move injured unless imminent danger (fire, running over). |
Important: The crime of Omission of Duty to Succor (Penal Code) punishes anyone who does not help or request help while being able to do so.
2. Assessment of Injured
Once the place is protected and emergencies alerted, we proceed to succor. We must establish a priority order, attending first to the most seriously injured (usually those unconscious or not breathing).
The assessment must follow this sequential order:
- Consciousness: Does he respond to stimuli (voice, pinch)?
- Breathing: See, hear, and feel if he breathes.
- Circulation: Check if there is pulse or severe hemorrhages.
Action according to victim's state
| Victim State | Correct Action |
|---|---|
| Unconscious but BREATHES | Place in Recovery Position (Lateral Safety Position) to avoid suffocation with vomit or tongue. Monitor breathing constantly. |
| Unconscious and DOES NOT BREATHE | Start CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). |
| Cardiorespiratory Arrest | Considered arrest if after 10 seconds there is no breathing or movements. |
The CPR technique
If the injured person does not breathe, you must act immediately:
- Rhythm: 30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths (mouth-to-mouth).
- Frequency: About 100 compressions per minute.
- Depth: Sink chest about 4-5 cm.
- Position: Arms extended, heel of hand in center of chest (lower half of sternum).
3. Hemorrhages and Shock
Abundant blood loss requires urgent attention.
- External Hemorrhage: Press directly on the wound. If it doesn't stop, elevate the limb. As last option (very restricted), tourniquet.
- Exteriorized Hemorrhage: Comes out through natural orifices.
- Nose: Don't tilt head back.
- Ear: Do not plug. Put injured in Recovery Position on the bleeding ear to facilitate exit.
- Internal Hemorrhage (Shock): No blood seen, but injured is pale, cold, and with rapid pulse.
- Action: Anti-shock position (legs elevated Trendelenburg) to send blood to vital organs. Keep warm.
4. Specific Actions (What NEVER to do)
For the exam, it is as important to know what to do as knowing what NOT to do.
- Motorcyclists: NEVER remove helmet from an accident victim, unless essential to perform artificial respiration and technique is known (two people needed to immobilize neck).
- Drink/Food: Never give drink (neither water nor alcohol) or medicines to an injured person.
- Mobilization: Do not move neck or spine. If moving is necessary, do it in block (head-neck-trunk axis).
- stuck objects: Never extract objects stuck in body.
- Burns:
- Don't prick blisters.
- Don't apply ointments.
- Don't remove clothes stuck to skin.
- Yes: Apply cold water (not icy) and cover with sterile or clean dressings.
- Fractures: Immobilize joint before and after fracture. Don't try to place bone.
5. Summary of Legal Obligations
- Stop safely without creating new dangers.
- Immobilize vehicle and turn off engine.
- Signal the zone.
- Alert authority (112).
- Do not modify state of things or traces (except to help victims or restore safety).