At the scene of a road accident

The first person on the scene of a collision will almost certainly be another road user. So as a driver your knowledge of first aid could make a real difference to someone in the event of a road accident

Stop. Apply handbrake. Turn off engine

Assess conditions

• Remain calm. Assess the scene and seriousness of the collision. Determine what happened, how many people and vehicles are involved and the exact location

Make safe

• Make sure you stay safe: keep off the road. If you need to stop or warn approaching cars, signal to them from the pavement. Wear fluorescent reflective clothing use warning triangles, flashing lights and hazard warning lights. Don’t smoke
• If you are in a car and you come across an accident, first park safely and turn off the engine before you get out to help. Use a hazard triangle if necessary.
• Consider the safety of others. Immobilize the vehicle/s, look out for hazards - leaking fuel, chemicals, broken glass or shed loads – guide uninjured passengers to a place of safety

Assess casualties

• How many casualties are there? What is the severity of the injuries? Is anyone trapped? Is there a danger of fire?

Call for help

• Dial 999 (or 112) for the emergency services. If there is no phone nearby, recruit help and send two people in opposite directions
• Do not use mobile phones if there is a danger from petrol-spillage or fumes

Apply emergency first aid

• Remain calm. Reassure the victims.
• Do not allow smoking or offer food or drink to casualties as this could hamper urgent medical treatment

Calling 999 (112)

Do this as soon as you can or get someone else to do it while you deal with an injured person. You will need to tell the emergency services:

• where you are
• what has happened (describe the accident)
• how many people are injured
• whether they are breathing or bleeding.

The operator will talk you through what to do while you wait for an ambulance to arrive.

The British Red Cross last medically reviewed this article in December 2009.