First aid on the road: an overview of common situations and what drivers need to be prepared for

Various critical situations can occur on the road, and it is important for drivers to be ready to help themselves or others. Let's consider what can happen and how to act in such cases. How to prepare for different situations on the road?

Accidents

If a car collides with another car or an obstacle, first assess the situation and ensure safety. To do this, indicate that an emergency has occurred by:

• Turning on the emergency alarm.
• Wear a reflective vest.
• Display an emergency stop sign.

Then approach the injured person, call an ambulance and administer first aid. Depending on the person's condition, it may be necessary to stop the blood, perform artificial respiration and indirect heart massage. It is important not to move or carry an injured person unless absolutely necessary. He or she may have serious injuries and this can make his or her condition worse.

What to do in other critical situations:

• Pedestrian hit-and-run. After hitting a pedestrian, you should stop immediately and call an ambulance. You can not move the victim, if there is no threat to his life. If a person is not breathing, it is necessary to start resuscitation measures.
• Tipping of the car. In the event that the car overturned, it is important to quickly but carefully get out of it, check the condition of the passengers and call for help. First aid to the injured is provided, making sure not to aggravate possible spinal injuries.
• Loss of consciousness while driving. If a driver loses consciousness, an attempt should be made to stop the car and call an ambulance. Depending on the cause, first aid will be required.
• The driver may fall asleep at the wheel, especially in the evening or at night. Passengers need to keep an eye on him, talking to him so he doesn't doze off. The best thing to do when drowsiness strikes is to pull over in an authorized place and sleep for about 15 minutes.

Minor injuries

Non-life-threatening situations can happen on the road. However, it is important to act correctly so that there are no complications:

• Burns from exposure to hot antifreeze or oil. It is necessary to rinse the damaged place with water as soon as possible. This is done for an extended period of time - 15-20 minutes. With serious burns, they are covered with a sterile napkin and seek medical help.
• Chemical burns from battery acid leakage. It is necessary to immediately rinse the affected area with plenty of water, preventing contaminants from entering the wound, and seek immediate medical attention.
• Bleeding. In case of severe bleeding it is necessary to apply a pressure bandage and elevate the affected limb above the level of the heart. If blood seeps through the bandage, apply another one on top without removing the first one.
• Contusions and injuries. In case of contusions, it is advisable to apply cold to the injured area to reduce swelling and pain. It is then advisable to see a doctor at the earliest opportunity to rule out more serious injuries.

It is important for the driver to always have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency stop sign in the car. It is also necessary to know the basics of first aid and periodically develop your skills by attending appropriate courses. Being prepared for various situations on the road, the driver can save the life and health of both himself and other road users.