Cyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users and, therefore, those who usually get worse off when an accident occurs. The first 15 minutes after an accident with serious injuries is vital to save the lives of the victims, being very important to know how to act in this delicate situation. The PAS (Protect, Alert and Relief) behavior has been specifically designed for this.
PAS behavior is the method to follow when it comes to helping the victims of an accident. These are three concrete steps in a specific order that serve to efficiently deal with an emergency situation with one or several injured.
1. Protect
The first step is to protect the injured person, oneself and the area of the accident to avoid further damage or injury to the victims and the people who serve them. Among the measures to be taken are stopping the vehicle before the accident leaving the emergency lights on, putting on the reflective vest with reflective fabric, putting the emergency triangle and, in short, doing everything possible so that the rest of the drivers can detect the presence of the accident and not cause more accidents.
In case of an accident on the mountain or any other type, make sure that the injured person is away from the cause of the accident, for example, if he has suffered severe burns or an electric shock, in addition to checking that he is not exposed to stones or branches that may fall and cause more injuries.
2. Alert
The second step is to alert the emergency services using the number 112, valid for the entire European Union. Depending on what type of accidents or when it is impossible to protect the victim, the first step is discarded by going directly to the second, which is to urgently notify the emergency coordination center so that the necessary rescue teams are put into operation.
The most important thing when it comes to alerting emergency services is to provide some minimum information about the accident: what happened, the exact place where it happened, the number of people injured and their condition, the possible dangers that continue to affect the place of the facts and personal data of the caller.
3. Relief
The third and last step is to help the injured people as much as possible, carrying out first aid if necessary. We must bear in mind that if a person does not know what is being done, it can cause more damage than already produced. The most advisable thing is to avoid manipulating the victim in case of severe physical damage and, in extreme cases, to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation until the arrival of the emergency services.
It is worth mentioning that, although it is not usual, the Spanish Civil Liability Law contemplates the crime of negligence damage if you try to help a wounded person and, due to a bad performance, you cause more damage than you already have. When in doubt, you can always act by offering psychological support, which is the same as staying with the victim talking, reassuring and shaking hands until the arrival of emergency services.
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