Injuries can occur without prior warning, anytime, anywhere. It is a real possibility that you may one day find yourself in a situation where you need to care for a critically injured person until a medical flight arrives. Know that you can make a difference and there is a lot you can do to help the injured. However, first things first; call the 911 before you even attempt anything. Faster the paramedics reach the better. If the accident site is in the middle of nowhere, make that know clearly to the responder. There is a good possibility that the paramedics themselves will arrive in a medical flight for quick evacuation.
Your Role in the Meantime
The fastest that a paramedic or emergency services can arrive is 6 to 9 minutes. While these initial minutes may sound like a small time, they can prove to be the difference between life and death. The first thing to check is whether the patient is breathing normally and whether there is a wound that is letting blood out rapidly. First clamp the blood using a piece of cloth as a tourniquet. Position the patient such that the blood flow is against gravity. Administer CPR if necessary. Observe yourself; feeling stressed and nauseous in such situations is normal. Try and clear your thoughts and focus on the critical victim.
Stay Safe till the Medical Flight or Other Form of Help Arrives
Bravado is bad, especially if you are stuck with the victim in a tough terrain. The best you can do is tell the 911 responder exactly what has happened and answer the questions clearly. Apart from that ensuring that the patient is conscious by talking to them, controlling bleeding, positioning the patient right and administering CPR if necessary is the only thing that you can do. Remember, there are laws to protect you like the Good Samaritan Act that keeps you shielded from any legal liabilities in situations like these, so never shy away from helping.
