STRESS PASS

Helping a trauma victim: Essential do’s and don’ts

Knowing how to respond in a trauma situation can save lives, but doing the wrong thing may worsen the injury. Basic trauma care is a life skill that everyone should learn. Assisting someone injured in a major road accident or a fall from a height is very different from responding to a heart attack or snakebite. For medical illnesses like stroke, the focus is on quick transport to a hospital. But for trauma, some other factors also apply. That is because the victim may have injuries that could be made worse by our actions.

The Don’ts
1. Don’t make the person sit, stand, or walk.
This is a common mistake. Movement can worsen injuries, especially if there’s a head, neck, or spinal injury that might not be obvious.
2. Don’t give food or water.
Trauma victims may need emergency surgery, and having food in the stomach can delay anaesthesia. Vomiting can also lead to food entering the lungs, a serious complication.
3. Don’t lift by the arms or legs.
Incorrect lifting can worsen spinal injuries. Always secure the spine before moving the victim (details below).

4. Don’t remove the helmet.
If the victim is wearing a helmet, leave it on unless you’re trained. Removing it incorrectly can exacerbate a neck injury.
5. Don’t cram the victim into a small vehicle.
Wait for an ambulance if possible. Improper positioning during transport can cause fractures or paralysis to worsen.
6. Don’t assume they’re fine just because there’s no visible wound.
Internal injuries, like brain trauma or organ damage, may not be immediately obvious but can be life-threatening.

Signs of severe injury
1) Unconsciousness
2) Labored or rapid breathing
3) Weak, fast pulse
4) Severe pain when trying to move
5) Numbness in the limbs
6) Visible wounds or deformities
7) Clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears (a sign of skull fracture when CSF leak occurs)

How to safely move a trauma victim
The key is keeping the spine straight and stable:
1. Use a spine board or other device with a flat surface.
This could be a wooden plank or even a door. There are many types of stretchers for use in trauma, but they might not be available at the site.
2. Log roll the victim.
With multiple people, roll the person as a single unit—head, neck, and torso aligned—onto the flat board. If necessary, rehearse using a healthy volunteer first before attempting to roll the victim. This will help correct any mistakes that occur during the mock drill.
3. Secure the victim.
Use straps, belts or shawls to secure the person on to the spine board. If a hard collar is not available, use rolled sheets/towels or newspaper/cardboard to keep the head and neck from shifting.
4. Transport carefully.
Carry the board with the victim as a unit carefully to the ambulance. Avoid bending or twisting the spine. Do not force or squeeze the victim’s body to fit the cramped space of a small vehicle. This could worsen hidden spinal injuries and lead to paralysis.

The Do’s
1. Ensure your own safety first.
Check for hazards like traffic, fire, or falling debris before approaching the victim.
2. Assess the victim’s condition.
Are they conscious? Are they breathing? If not, check if anything is blocking the airway and remove it from the back of the mouth if safe to do so.
3. Call for an ambulance immediately.
Ambulances are expected to be equipped with life-saving tools. Trained personnel can provide care at the accident site, and also on the way to the hospital.

4. Seek help from others.
If you’re not trained, find someone nearby who has had prior training, and can lead the response.
5. Inform their family.
Look for emergency contacts on their phone or ID if the victim is alone.
6. Keep the victim still and calm.
Reassure them and avoid unnecessary movements until help arrives.
7. Bleeding Control:
Apply firm pressure to external wounds with a clean cloth to stop bleeding. A tourniquet may be needed to stop arterial bleeding from the limbs.

8. CPR when necessary: If the victim isn’t breathing, has no pulse and there are no obvious major injuries, start CPR. Enrolling for trauma care and CPR classes helps prepare for such emergencies. It is helpful to periodically revise and teach others to keep the skill intact.
9. Ask the bystanders to get a first aid kit. It is helpful to keep such kits in each vehicle. The minimum 7 items required are:
1) Tourniquet – To control major bleeding from limbs.
2)  Adhesive bandages – For small wounds.
3) Sterile Gauze, medical Tape – for larger wounds.
4) Forceps: to safely remove debris from wounds
5) Sterile Gloves – For safe handling and protection against contamination.
6) Scissors - To cut seatbelt, clothing or gauze.
7) Elastic Bandage – For wrapping sprains, securing dressings, or providing compression.
Knowing these can make a critical difference in someone’s survival and recovery. Trauma care isn’t just for professionals—it is a skill everyone can and should learn.