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Arrive Alive

SOME INFORMATION & TIPS -
Excerpts from the Arrive Alive Website

Identification Of a Patient / Accident victim

In the event of an accident or a medical emergency it is often a stranger who comes to your rescue. A major concern for many people is personal identification and the notification of family members of such an event.

This can be done in numerous ways:

The most obvious is to locate a wallet with medical aid card, driver’s license or other form of identification. If the emergency personnel were not first on scene, bystanders may have already stolen this.
If lucky, the accident or emergency could be in the vicinity of home or work where the patient is easily identifiable.
In our technology driven world the cell phone has been invaluable in assisting. Internationally the acronym I.C.E ( In Case of Emergency) is used to identify a contact person on an individuals cell phone for such an event.
In the event of a motor vehicle accident, if Metro Police are on scene tracing the number plates may identify the patient, but this is only helpful if the driver is the registered owner of the motor vehicle.
Last but not least, bracelets, identification badges or facilities such as the Netcare 911 Lifecap have also assisted where all other methods have failed.

So, as mentioned before, this is real life detective work and can be challenging for an emergency personnel who have numerous tasks to complete in a short space of time in a largely uncontrolled environment.

For peace of mind…

How to Handle An Emergency

Coming across an accident while out and about can be a frightening and stressful experience. Not only is it a dangerous environment to disembark from your vehicle but also the sight of injured, bleeding people or children can induce panic in the toughest of people.

Emergency personnel deal with such incidents on a daily basis and are specifically trained and equipped to cope with and treat patients on such scenes. But what happens if you are the first person to come across the accident? What do you do if you actually see the accident happen in front of you? Whom do you call and what do you do first while you wait for the emergency personnel to arrive?

FIRST…

Park in a safe position off the road.
Turn on your hazard lights and headlights. (Don’t put your bright lights on as this may temporarily blind oncoming motorists)
If the accident is on a blind rise or bend, parking your vehicle back from the accident in a ‘fend-off’ position so vehicles see the accident scene may help prevent further accidents.
Put out your warning triangles if you have them

NEXT…

Phone the emergency services!
Most emergency call centres will request the following information:

Your telephone number (to remain in contact with you should you be cut off)
Your location (street name and nearest cross road)
The details of what has happened, how many people are injured, whether there is a fire, etc.

This will allow the dispatcher to send the correct personnel from the closest area. In addition the call takers are able to give you telephonic advice as to what to do to help the injure on the accident scene.

THEN…

If you have a First Aid kit, take it out of your vehicle. Put on the rubber gloves that are inside the first aid kit.

Calm and reassure the people that have been involved in the accident. Make them aware you have called the emergency services and that help is on the way. This may be the only thing AND the most important thing you can do to help someone involved in an accident.

The most important principles when helping an accident victim are the following:

Safety – Do not attempt heroics, which may potentially jeopardise your own safety. Your safety comes first, before that of the injured. You are of no use to anyone if you become injured while attempting to help others.
If there is any fire/ flames and you have a fire extinguisher, use it and direct the foam/ water at the base of the flames.
Do NOT move the patient or attempt to remove them from the vehicle UNLESS there is an immediate threat to life (e.g. the car is on fire and you are unable to extinguish it). There may be an underlying injury to the neck or spine and unnecessary movement could make this worse.
If the person is unconscious, open the mouth and check there is nothing inside causing obstruction.
Check if the person is breathing.
If the patient is breathing leave them in the position you find them and monitor them regularly.
If the patient is NOT breathing and you have been trained to do so, you may begin CPR and rescue breathing as necessary.
If a person is bleeding heavily from a wound, take any available material e.g. a t-shirt/ gauze from the first aid kit/ a towel/ a blanket/ etc, and place it over the open bleeding wound. Then press tightly applying direct pressure to the wound. Maintain that pressure until the emergency services arrive. Do not stop pressing to check if there is continued bleeding or to look at the wound. This procedure may save a persons life.

Being a bystander at an accident scene is invariably a stressful event. However if you remain calm, keep your head and follow the above principles, you could be instrumental in assisting, reassuring and even saving the lives of the accident victims.
Ultimately we would all like to ‘Arrive Alive’….

Pregnancy and Safe Driving

Many pregnant ladies complain that safety belts create additional discomfort and are confused about wearing seat belts and shoulder harnesses during pregnancy. They wonder if wearing the restraints over their abdomen could cause a problem. Restraints are however necessary during pregnancy, just as they are necessary when you're not pregnant.

No matter what the stage of your pregnancy, it is vital that you always wear a seat belt. By wearing a seat belt you are protecting yourself and your unborn baby in the event of a crash.

Remember that it is illegal not to wear a seat belt unless you have a current certificate signed by a medical practitioner exempting you due to medical reasons.
All pregnant women must wear seat belts by law when travelling in cars. This applies to both front and back seats - pregnancy does not in itself automatically provide exemption from the law.

How to wear the seatbelt during pregnancy

When you must do the driving, learn to place the seat belt in the correct position - There is definitely a correct way to wear a seat belt.

Place the lap-belt part of the restraint under your abdomen and across your upper thighs so it's snug and comfortable - The lap belt should never ever be placed on or above your belly.
Adjust your sitting position so the belt crosses your shoulder without cutting into your neck.
The shoulder belt should cross over your collarbone and lay between your breasts. It should be positioned so that it does not hit your neck.
Never put the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm.
When travelling in cars fitted with air bags, the seat should be pushed back as far as practical.
The belt should be worn as tight as possible -In this way the forces applied in a sudden impact can be absorbed by the body's frame.

General advice and suggestions to pregnant drivers

Make sure your seat is positioned comfortable and not too close to the steering wheel
Leave some space (at least 10 cm) between your belly and steering wheel, bend back slightly.
If possible -use a vehicle with adjustable steering wheels and seats so that you can customize your seating position to optimise your control over the car.
If you suffer from pains in back, massage seat nets, wattle of wooden balls or tarpaulin ones with air gap will be of great help for you.
During a long trip stop and have some rest - leave the car, walk for a while, stretch yourself, do everything to relax and relieve tension.
Feet and ankles are prone to swelling in pregnancy and can be worsened by sitting still for too long.
Take small snacks and water with you on journeys as your body now demands better sustenance throughout the day.
Always bring a lumbar support (it can be a small pillow or rolled up sweater or small blanket). Position the lumbar support against the lower curve of your back, and reposition until your find the spot that feels best.
If your back is sore, think about bringing along a heat or cold pack that you can use to help reduce discomfort.
If you’re suffering from morning sickness, you may feel nauseous in the car. Try sucking on crystallized ginger, as it’s a great natural remedy for nausea.
Avoid travelling alone, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
Ensure you’re enrolled with a breakdown service in case of emergencies.
Always carry a mobile phone with you – also take your medical details with you as well as a list of contacts in your documents.
Avoid places where good medical care is not available or where changes in climate, food or altitude could cause you problems.

Always remember that your safety comes first – avoid unnecessary time and threats on our roads. Whenever possible, let someone else do the driving as the more space you place between your unborn child and a steering wheel, the better.

Cycling Safety

An effective safety campaign must seek to both create a safer environment for cyclists, whilst also encouraging responsible behaviour by both cyclists and other road users.

The European Transport Safety Council (1999) identifies 7 key problems for cyclists in the urban traffic system:

‘Vulnerability’: Cyclists pose little threat to drivers and hence drivers have less reason to be aware of them. Speed is key in determining severity of outcome. Helmets offer protection but helmet use varies by age, gender and location.
‘Flexibility’: Motorists can never be sure when or where to expect cyclists – often cyclists flout road rules to make gains.
‘Instability’: Cycle mistakes or failures are dangerous when they occur near other motor traffic/road users.
‘Invisibility’: Cyclists are difficult to see and can be hidden, especially at night.
‘Differing abilities’: Cyclists of all abilities and experience are present on the roads.
‘Consciousness of effort’: Cyclists seek quick, easy, direct routes, so as to minimise effort.
‘Estrangement’: Cyclists are often treated as nuisances on the roads, with little regard paid to their status as road users with equal rights.

For info on an effective way to ID yourself whilst out riding …

Motorcycle Safety

Watch the no-zones
Always wear a helmet
Drive to survive!
Always check yourself and your bike
Watch your speed

Quad Bikes Safety - General Conditions

Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Never carry a passenger on a single-rider.
Do not drive the quad bike on streets, highways or paved roads or pavements.
Do not ride at excessive speeds, due to a short wheelbase & manoeuvrability, quads may be very unstable & easily flip.
Be cautious when approaching hills, turns, and obstacles or operating on unfamiliar / rough terrain.
Keep at least 10 feet between your vehicle and other vehicles.
Do not attempt wheelies, jumps, or other stunts.
Keep your feet on the footrests, riding single at all times.
Stay away from tough riding areas until riding skills have developed.
The manufacturer’s recommendations for operation and maintenance must be followed at all times.
When braking - begin to slow down early.
When turning - You must be able to coordinate speed and body position to maintain balance while turning.

Website: www.arrivealive.co.za