Approaching an Accident

What goes through your mind?

There are a number of things to consider when approaching the scene of an accident. Some of these have been listed below:-

1. Dispatch to the incident - plan your route carefully
   
   
2. Weather and road conditions
   
   
3. Making a slow and safe approach
   
   
4. Parking defensively in the 'fend off position' if appropriate
   
   
5. Look for debris and hazards e.g. fuel, downed electricity cables etc.
   
   
6. THINK SAFETY - SELF... Scene... and Survivors
   
   
7. Communicate arrival to control and to other services in attendance
   
   
8. Assess the scene as you walk towards it, try to read the wreckage
   
   
9. Approach the scene only if it is safe
   
   
10. Look for casualties both on the road, in vehicles and walking around
    
    
11. Call for appropriate back-up and support where needed
    
    

• Carefully thinking about how to approach an accident may mean the difference between life and death...

DON'T BECOME ANOTHER CASUALTY

To be expanded in due course...

Dr. N Sparrow - 10 September 2006

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