Second on Scene - used First Aid (sort of)
Discussion
Travelling home on country lanes at 8.30pm Tuesday night with my 8yo in the car with me, I approached a car in the darkness on my side of the road with it's headlights facing me. Normally, I'd give the driver some abuse about not putting sidelights on but as I overtook the car I noticed a lady standing by the kerb on the phone and someone lying on the floor.
A couple of years ago I did a basic First Aid course so parked up to see if I could help. Left my lad in the car and ran 30-40mt to the scene.
It was then I came across another chap in the darkness with a motorcycle helmet on, trying to upright a sporty 125cc motorbike so it was evident the two chaps were rider & pillion. He had got the bike running again and looked like he was about to mount so I grabbed his arm and told him he couldn't leave the scene of an accident. He was obviously drunk so I killed the bike with the off switch and put the keys in my pocket.
I spoke to the lady, she was on the phone to the emergency services so I turned my attention to the unconcious fellow.
Checked him for injuries but could find none. Searched for a pulse, found it fairly easily but he appeared to be fitting.
I asked the rider his name and he said James. I shouted the name at him but got little to no response but squeezed my hand when I asked him to.
I asked the rider if he was wearing a helmet at the time and he said yes. I asked him where it was and he said they only had one, the unconcious lad was wearing it. I got up and said "But you were wearing it just", he said 'Yeah'. so it was apparent that he was trying to leave the scene with his mate on the floor. He had a massive gash on the back of his skull, blood running down his neck onto his chest but appeared OK apart from effects of drink.
So they were riding 2-up, on a 125cc (the pillion guy looked about 15-16stone), in the dark, in freezing/wet conditions, drunk and only one helmet between them!
Went back to the chap on the floor. He was now obviously fitting. I was reluctant to move him as he'd just come off a bike at speed but what if he vomits?
I very gently put him the recovery position with a rolled up blanket under his head.
Luckily a nurse was passing and she stopped to help. I told her I'd found a pulse, and she asked me if he was breathing?
Ermmm... I forgot to check that, I'm ashamed to admit
She said he was breathing and shone my phone torch in his eyes and got reactions from the pupils. She said he was obviously fitting.
Ambulances arrived at the scene, then the police. I told the officer about what I saw and left my details. I've heard nothing yet, don't even know if the guy survived (I guess he did).
How can I find out?
A couple of years ago I did a basic First Aid course so parked up to see if I could help. Left my lad in the car and ran 30-40mt to the scene.
It was then I came across another chap in the darkness with a motorcycle helmet on, trying to upright a sporty 125cc motorbike so it was evident the two chaps were rider & pillion. He had got the bike running again and looked like he was about to mount so I grabbed his arm and told him he couldn't leave the scene of an accident. He was obviously drunk so I killed the bike with the off switch and put the keys in my pocket.
I spoke to the lady, she was on the phone to the emergency services so I turned my attention to the unconcious fellow.
Checked him for injuries but could find none. Searched for a pulse, found it fairly easily but he appeared to be fitting.
I asked the rider his name and he said James. I shouted the name at him but got little to no response but squeezed my hand when I asked him to.
I asked the rider if he was wearing a helmet at the time and he said yes. I asked him where it was and he said they only had one, the unconcious lad was wearing it. I got up and said "But you were wearing it just", he said 'Yeah'. so it was apparent that he was trying to leave the scene with his mate on the floor. He had a massive gash on the back of his skull, blood running down his neck onto his chest but appeared OK apart from effects of drink.
So they were riding 2-up, on a 125cc (the pillion guy looked about 15-16stone), in the dark, in freezing/wet conditions, drunk and only one helmet between them!
Went back to the chap on the floor. He was now obviously fitting. I was reluctant to move him as he'd just come off a bike at speed but what if he vomits?
I very gently put him the recovery position with a rolled up blanket under his head.
Luckily a nurse was passing and she stopped to help. I told her I'd found a pulse, and she asked me if he was breathing?
Ermmm... I forgot to check that, I'm ashamed to admit
She said he was breathing and shone my phone torch in his eyes and got reactions from the pupils. She said he was obviously fitting.
Ambulances arrived at the scene, then the police. I told the officer about what I saw and left my details. I've heard nothing yet, don't even know if the guy survived (I guess he did).
How can I find out?
Fastchas said:
I asked the rider if he was wearing a helmet at the time and he said yes. I asked him where it was and he said they only had one, the unconcious lad was wearing it. I got up and said "But you were wearing it just", he said 'Yeah'.
So they were riding 2-up, on a 125cc (the pillion guy looked about 15-16stone), in the dark, in freezing/wet conditions, drunk and only one helmet between them!
Went back to the chap on the floor. He was now obviously fitting. I was reluctant to move him as he'd just come off a bike at speed but what if he vomits?
I very gently put him the recovery position with a rolled up blanket under his head.
So the rider had already removed the helmet from the unconscious bloke? At that stage, any damage from moving him is going to already have been done...So they were riding 2-up, on a 125cc (the pillion guy looked about 15-16stone), in the dark, in freezing/wet conditions, drunk and only one helmet between them!
Went back to the chap on the floor. He was now obviously fitting. I was reluctant to move him as he'd just come off a bike at speed but what if he vomits?
I very gently put him the recovery position with a rolled up blanket under his head.
Fastchas said:
Ambulances arrived at the scene, then the police. I told the officer about what I saw and left my details. I've heard nothing yet, don't even know if the guy survived (I guess he did).
How can I find out?
Phone the police. Whether they'll tell you is another story.How can I find out?
Oh, and well done.
TooMany2cvs said:
Phone the police. Whether they'll tell you is another story.
Oh, and well done.
Thanks. I was buzzing when I got home.Oh, and well done.
I sort of remember the lady first on scene saying she was chatting to the guy so perhaps she/he removed it before he fell unconcious. Or perhaps his 'mate' did!
Well done on stopping!
ABCD approach.....https://www.resus.org.uk/resuscitation-guidelines/abcde-approach/
A tricky situation, normally one would put into recovery position to prevent aspiration if fitting and maintain patient airway BUT with the risk of possible cervical spine injury, ideally would need to immobilize neck/spine as a potentially more serious injury before moving in any way. its good now to do a bit of reading any maybe do another course as you can discuss the situation with professionals.
Had similar situation when attended a fresh accident scene. When i saw the dripping fuel and flames licking from the engine bay, i decided extracting the 3 kids soonest was the safest option despite a well meaning policeman telling me not to move them.
once again, well done!
ABCD approach.....https://www.resus.org.uk/resuscitation-guidelines/abcde-approach/
A tricky situation, normally one would put into recovery position to prevent aspiration if fitting and maintain patient airway BUT with the risk of possible cervical spine injury, ideally would need to immobilize neck/spine as a potentially more serious injury before moving in any way. its good now to do a bit of reading any maybe do another course as you can discuss the situation with professionals.
Had similar situation when attended a fresh accident scene. When i saw the dripping fuel and flames licking from the engine bay, i decided extracting the 3 kids soonest was the safest option despite a well meaning policeman telling me not to move them.
once again, well done!
Well done OP - many people wouldn't have been able to offer that level of support.
I once found a biker lying in the road on Pirbright Bends, it was early in the morning and was clearly a single vehicle accident. I waited with him until the ambulance and police arrived, with him just lying on the tarmac in agony.
I once found a biker lying in the road on Pirbright Bends, it was early in the morning and was clearly a single vehicle accident. I waited with him until the ambulance and police arrived, with him just lying on the tarmac in agony.
Well done for stopping and doing something. Basic first aid training (even a half day on "DR ABC") is a massive asset to anyone.
Surprising how many people don't stop though. I remember assisting a capsized motorcyclist on Stainmoor and he told me that he'd been driven past by a fair amount of people. Luckily he was undamaged, just couldn't move his bike due to high winds.
Surprising how many people don't stop though. I remember assisting a capsized motorcyclist on Stainmoor and he told me that he'd been driven past by a fair amount of people. Luckily he was undamaged, just couldn't move his bike due to high winds.
Good on you for stopping, I've stopped at a couple over the years, the worst one being a Rover 216 that split in two after hitting four other cars at about 7.20 one Saturday morning, I checked in the car and the back seat passenger was dead, another lad had been dragged under the car by his seatbelt when it split, three lads made off but one didn't get far with a broken ankle.
The car was smoking and the petrol tank had split, i got underneath to help the lad trapped he was badly injured with severe tarmac burns all over his body where his clothes had been torn off, his skull was actually open and I held it in place whilst holding his hand and talking to him. A couple of residents had come out by then and I heard someone say "Leave them mate, their not worth it" but regardless of what they had done they were someones son.
All emergency services arrived and took over doing what they do best, I was invited into someones house to wash some of the blood and petrol off myself, I gave a short statement at the scene and further statements at my local station and the inquest.
The car was smoking and the petrol tank had split, i got underneath to help the lad trapped he was badly injured with severe tarmac burns all over his body where his clothes had been torn off, his skull was actually open and I held it in place whilst holding his hand and talking to him. A couple of residents had come out by then and I heard someone say "Leave them mate, their not worth it" but regardless of what they had done they were someones son.
All emergency services arrived and took over doing what they do best, I was invited into someones house to wash some of the blood and petrol off myself, I gave a short statement at the scene and further statements at my local station and the inquest.
First day back at work after my dad died of a heart attack, was walking back to the car on my way home when a car mounted the pavement in front of me. Old boy driving had what I assume was a heart attack. Myself and a couple of others got him out of the car and on to the ground. Only thing I could do was phone 999 for an ambulance then hold the phone up to the ear of one of the others whilst the 999 operator talked them through heart compression and mouth to mouth until the ambulance arrived a few minutes later.
Hit me like a brick shortly after leaving the scene and had a bit of a weep.
Hit me like a brick shortly after leaving the scene and had a bit of a weep.
arguti said:
A tricky situation, normally one would put into recovery position to prevent aspiration if fitting and maintain patient airway BUT with the risk of possible cervical spine injury, ideally would need to immobilize neck/spine as a potentially more serious injury before moving in any way.
The airway is key. If he can't breathe it doesn't matter what state his neck is in. Obviously trying to stabilise his neck important, but if you're not sure he's breathing the helmet has to come off, and if he's at risk of aspirating because of fits he needs to be turned on his side.(Someone asked this question on a recent BLS course I did.)
Thankfully I've never needed to do anything in anger, but I did come across a scooterist who'd been knocked off and was being fussed over by two little old ladies. They'd removed his helmet and found a cushion for him but when I suggested he might get up if he felt ok they insisted he stay put just in case he'd hurt his neck.
Year ago last week in Manitoba Canada at stupid o'clock in the morning and minus 20 something , I came across a guy ejected from his car through the windscreen(no seatbelt) after he'd rear ended a parked semi trailer . Pretty f
king horrendous but something kicks in , bleeding heavily , no nose , and as it turned out a broken back and 11 broken ribs but he survived , and was back at work within 3 months . Not a pleasant experience for either of us during the 30 mins waiting for paramedics etc , had a few more before and since , you can only do your best sometimes .
king horrendous but something kicks in , bleeding heavily , no nose , and as it turned out a broken back and 11 broken ribs but he survived , and was back at work within 3 months . Not a pleasant experience for either of us during the 30 mins waiting for paramedics etc , had a few more before and since , you can only do your best sometimes .
This thread goes a way towards exposing wh men’s life expectancy is less than women’s!
Well done OP, last one I stopped at was on a country road near where I live, a 14yr oldboy knocked down running out from a crossroads, heedless to traffic.
A couple cars had stopped but the people were all just standing looking, clueless.
I visually examined the boy and saw that his Ankle bone was sticking out, he was unconscious, thick blood oozing from an ear and his breathing was laboured. It didn’t look good.
Driver was in a state nearby, i told him to wait there and made sure the road was secure from all directions, I didn’t want to be next given it was a 60mph road.
I called the police and ambulance service. A passing mental health nurse stopped but she told me she didn’t have a clue about physical injuries.
All I could do was talk gently to the boy, and stroke his brow. I have no idea if he heard me or even knew I was there.
The first blue light arrived after 20 minutes, an ambulance. Sadly The Boy was dead by then.
I think of it every time I drive past the junction.
Well done OP, last one I stopped at was on a country road near where I live, a 14yr oldboy knocked down running out from a crossroads, heedless to traffic.
A couple cars had stopped but the people were all just standing looking, clueless.
I visually examined the boy and saw that his Ankle bone was sticking out, he was unconscious, thick blood oozing from an ear and his breathing was laboured. It didn’t look good.
Driver was in a state nearby, i told him to wait there and made sure the road was secure from all directions, I didn’t want to be next given it was a 60mph road.
I called the police and ambulance service. A passing mental health nurse stopped but she told me she didn’t have a clue about physical injuries.
All I could do was talk gently to the boy, and stroke his brow. I have no idea if he heard me or even knew I was there.
The first blue light arrived after 20 minutes, an ambulance. Sadly The Boy was dead by then.
I think of it every time I drive past the junction.
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