Weekly Health Page Articles: Emergency/Trauma Center

The Right Response at an Accident Scene

If you came upon an accident scene, would you know what to do? First and foremost, remain calm. "The right response to an accident is more important than an immediate, incorrect one," says Charles H. Pancoast, MD, emergency medicine physician on staff at Saint Francis Medical Center. "The first thing to do is call 911; the sooner an injured person receives advanced medical care, the better."

Give 911 personnel your exact location and any other information they need so help can arrive as soon as possible. You should never move an accident victim because it might make an injury worse. The only exception is when a person is at greater risk for injury; for example, if someone is thrown from a car onto the highway, carefully move the person to a safe area.

In the case of a car accident, set flares on the road or turn on your vehicle's hazard lights to warn oncoming motorists of the accident and avoid additional collisions. Once emergency personnel arrive, stay in the area in case they have questions, but give them room to care for the victim.

From Weekly Health Page: July 23, 2006