If you are required to offer first aid assistance at the scene of a crash, call Triple Zero (000) immediately for medical assistance. To help you understand the extent of the person’s injuries, follow the St John DRSABCD Action Plan.

Next, check the driver and any passengers for injuries, be careful to take note of your surroundings, assess any damage, and decide if you need to protect yourself from incoming traffic or possible vehicle fire that could occur due to damage from the crash.

As there are many forms of musculoskeletal injuries, it’s important to understand what type the person has before commencing any form of treatment.

For minor injuries:

Cuts or scrapes: Sterilise the area and remove any debris. Gently pat the wound dry with a gauze swab and cover it with a sterile dressing. If you don’t have one on hand, you can use a clean piece of material that doesn’t have loose fibres. If the cut or scrape is bleeding, raise the affected area above heart level and clean around the injury with water or a sterile wipe. Pat the area dry and apply a sterile dressing.

Strain or sprain: Use the RICE management plan

Rest

• Keep the person calm
• Help them sit down and make sure they don’t put any weight on the injury
• You should always take extra care in case the person has a fracture or dislocation

Ice

• Wrap an ice pack in a damp cloth. If you don’t have one, use ice or a cloth soaked in cold water
• Apply to the injured area for fifteen (15) minutes then remove
• Reapply every two (2) hours for the first twenty-four (24) hours
• Note: Never apply ice directly to the skin or onto an open cut

Compression

• Compression helps to prevent swelling.
• A compression bandage is the best thing to use for this and can be found in a standard first aid kit or sold at most pharmacies
• Apply the bandage firmly and extend it well beyond the injury
• If you don’t have one, any kind of cloth or a tight sock will work as a short-term solution

Elevate

• Keep the limb elevated to help reduce swelling
• If you start to feel pins and needles, you may have the injury up too high
• If this happens, try moving it a little lower down

For more severe injuries:

Severe bleeding: In the event of a haemorrhagic injury, a person could bleed out in minutes. You should apply pressure to the affected area with a sterile dressing or clean piece of material. Do not try to remove anything stuck in the wound, but apply pressure on either side. Put a bandage on top of the dressing and call Triple Zero (000) for medical assistance.

Fractures or breaks: If you suspect you or someone else might have a broken bone or fracture, seek medical assistance immediately.

• Keep the person calm and make sure they don’t put any weight on the injury
• Cover any open wounds with a bandage, leaving a five (5) cm gap on either side of the limb to prevent movement. Apply pressure around the injury to control bleeding but not over the bone. Don’t attempt to force the fracture back into place
• Secure the injured limb in a sling or triangular bandage to prevent any further damage to the area if possible (don’t elevate injured legs).
• Check that bandages are not too tight or too loose every fifteen (15) minutes
• Watch for signs of shock
• If the person becomes unresponsive, prepare to give CPR
• If you suspect a person has a neck or spinal injury and can’t move anything below the neck, do not move them and try to keep them as still as possible until medical assistance arrives.