saw a nasty one last night

krt10 · 28-09-2008, 08:15 PM

saw a huge accident last night.
me and a mate were driving down west terrace in adelaide when a van entering from a side street ran a red light.

he pulled out right in front of a taxi who locked up and rear ended the van in the left rear. this caused the van to swerve right and hit one of those big green street signs. the sign just bend and acted like a sort of ramp. the van went up into the air, landed, and then rolled.

the passenger of the van wasnt waring a seatbelt and got thrown from the window of the car mid flight. we ran up to him and he was dazed but could talk and what not. so i go over to the driver. the roof and Apiller of the van had caved in onto him. he was bleeding alot and was unconsious. so i ran over to the servo and got a first aid kit, called 000 and asked what to do ( i have no training so i didnt have a clue) anyway i had to hold this guys head up so his airway wasnt blocked. other people stopped and found another guy in the back who looked like he wasnt wearing a seatbelt either and broke the rear window with his body.

when the ambos came the driver was still unconsious and critical, i dont know what happend to him but it didnt look good.

it made me relise how easy things can happen. im seriously considering getting basic first aid training so i at least have some idea.

needless to say it wasnt the way i wanted to start the night.

gtfpv · 28-09-2008, 08:18 PM

shite . sorry to hear . your a hero for what you did mate . congrats . and take some time out . you can get delayed shock . seek counsilling if this happens anytime .
well done .

XR6_661 · 28-09-2008, 08:19 PM

Damn. You did well but. It's never nice to see accidents that bad. Seems like you kept calm. Like I said, good work.

No doubt it'll be on the news?

First aid training ftw.

krt10 · 28-09-2008, 08:26 PM

cheers guys. there were news cameres there before any ambos or cops. it seemed like it had just happend and there was a cameraman there

ZA-289 · 28-09-2008, 09:02 PM

Good work mate!

BARRICADE · 28-09-2008, 09:43 PM

good work mate!! hope the involved were ok...

krt10 · 28-09-2008, 10:30 PM

me too mate. there were about 10 or so other people that stopped and were helping me and my mate and caring for the other 2 guys. i just hope that if im ever in a situation like that there is people who get out and help.

hannem · 28-09-2008, 10:52 PM

Good one dude for helping many would not and have seen that,

We regularly do first aid training through work and at one of the sessions we asked the trainer about helping out injured members of the public at an accident scene.

Some of the guys were a bit concerned that you could be liable for any further injury that they may cause to the injured and that they might get sued.

You know dragging someone out of a burning car and in the process cause them not to walk again and you cop it. (mind you they would have died otherwise)

We were told that unless you were being negligent, ie unnecessarily rolling necks, twisting broken legs back and forth, that sort of stupid stuff then there is no need to worry.

Just repeating what I was told and if this happens to me I would have no probs "injuring" someone to save their life.

When someone is trapped and bleeding not really much you can do but hold the head and put pressure on the bleeding spots.

Frightening experience for you no doubt and glad you had the guts not to turn away.

Cheers M

AndrewR_AUII · 28-09-2008, 11:07 PM

Hannem,
I've been told the same thing - the first time anybody helping 'in good faith' in this situation gets sued is the time at heck breaks loose - and the courts know it.
Was also told by my instructor from St John is that they will back you up as well.

Those doing volunteer work should be aware of the 'volunteer protection act' which provides protection for those working in a voluntary capacity (which isn't the case here, but good to be aware of).

In this situation, training helps as well as stopping for a couple of seconds to think before rushing in.

Sounds though that you did well - and quite possibly saved that guys life. Well done.

aye you · 29-09-2008, 12:31 AM

you ask permission from the "patient" who, if they say yes, understand fully that they cannot persue legal action against you, unless it is gross negligence. AndrewR hit the nail on the head, anyone helping in an emergency situation gets sued, well, the courts won't let it go too far, plus St John would go skitz.

Keepleft · 29-09-2008, 05:06 PM

Main-state EU cars have first aid kits, vests, triangle as standard supply. Saves running and time.

Basic first aid kit as little as $18 from say BigW, Superrchup etc.

sgt_doofey · 29-09-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aye you

you ask permission from the "patient" who, if they say yes, understand fully that they cannot persue legal action against you, unless it is gross negligence.

But what if they are unconscious?
From my St John's training from memory, you can't be held liable in this situation.

Just remember, in any situation, you come first, not the accident victim. Make sure you don't end your life in the process of trying to save another.

Also, when ringing 000 in this situation, always ask for the ambos when asked what service you want. They'll arrange for cops and fire if required. If possible, stay on the line to them as they are trained paramedics and can help talk you through the situation if required.

If someone has had a reasonably accident and could be affected by concussion, etc, call the ambos or take them to a hospital to get checked out. If they don't want the ambos coming out due to the cost, then let them know that you only get charged for the ambos if you get taken to hospital in the Ambulance. If the paramedics only check you out, there is no fee involved.

AUIIForte · 29-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

But what if they are unconscious?

Somebody correct me if I am wrong. But I am almost 100% certain that if a casualty is unconscious, it is, by law, your right to help them with no legal obligations. And if conscious, once you ask them if they need help and they say No, then, by law, you cannot help them.

azaxr8 · 29-09-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUIIForte

Somebody correct me if I am wrong. But I am almost 100% certain that if a casualty is unconscious, it is, by law, your right to help them with no legal obligations. And if conscious, once you ask them if they need help and they say No, then, by law, you cannot help them.

This is right, Unless your putting yourself or anyone elses live in immediate danger.

Infact, You can end up worse off if you don't help especially if ur a trained first aider.

trburnard · 29-09-2008, 05:26 PM

Nice work. I'm an St Johns ex-volunteer, and what has been said here is pretty much on the money. To add to that, IMHO I believe that we all have a moral obligation to assist as long as you are not putting your self or others in danger. First Aid training is a must and even simple short courses can save a life. You will be surprised how training kicks in and helps overcome the adrenalin and the enormity of the situation.

Not that I would have forgotten to put my seatbelt on but I think I speak for everyone here when I say that, if I were in that situation it is nice to know that there are blokes like you who would help me out of a dangerous situation.

Cheers

ch33z1l · 29-09-2008, 05:40 PM

I was driving along my street one night and was almost taken out by a young kid on a motorbike, and in trying to avoid hitting me, he swerved and hit a gutter and flipped a few mtrs into a tree. I rang the ambos straight away and halfway through the conversation he gets up and starts trying to take a swing at me. When the ambos and cops arrived he was claiming he didnt remember what happened. Whether it was the concussion etc talking, not sure, maybe it was the fact the cops were there and he was underage and riding with no lights on, not to mention it was probably stolen.

azaxr8 · 29-09-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ch33z1l

I was driving along my street one night and was almost taken out by a young kid on a motorbike, and in trying to avoid hitting me, he swerved and hit a gutter and flipped a few mtrs into a tree. I rang the ambos straight away and halfway through the conversation he gets up and starts trying to take a swing at me. When the ambos and cops arrived he was claiming he didnt remember what happened. Whether it was the concussion etc talking, not sure, maybe it was the fact the cops were there and he was underage and riding with no lights on, not to mention it was probably stolen.

Symptons of a head injury, Moods can change within seconds even when your not aggrivating them. These people you have to watch out for as they can get real violent really fast and need urgent medical aid. Good work on calling the ambos.

gtfpv · 29-09-2008, 05:56 PM

to put this into perspective . consider this .
i was driving on the M4 in sydney at 90km/hr in a small hatchback laser . when carrboom !!! hit from behind at high speed . causing rear bumper to be in back seat. and excellerate to about 110, and go into a high speed spin . my head bounced back on impact , splitting it open on the headrest . apon my 200meter 5 rotation spin , and final stop against a crash barrier . two other cars involved stopped ran up to me to see if i was hurt . when they found out i was . argued with me , then waved through the stopped traffic . and then done a runner , leaving me for dead , witrh no witnesses, the traffic just drove passed me for a few minutes , untill i decided to climb out the drivers window .
that is the normal thing to expect from people these days .
a commend anyone with enough courage to be a decent human being thse days . you have no idea . how much it hurts when people drive by.
and how relieving it may be when people help.

AUIIForte · 29-09-2008, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

to put this into perspective . consider this .
i was driving on the M4 in sydney at 90km/hr in a small hatchback laser . when carrboom !!! hit from behind at high speed . causing rear bumper to be in back seat. and excellerate to about 110, and go into a high speed spin . my head bounced back on impact , splitting it open on the headrest . apon my 200meter 5 rotation spin , and final stop against a crash barrier . two other cars involved stopped ran up to me to see if i was hurt . when they found out i was . argued with me , then waved through the stopped traffic . and then done a runner , leaving me for dead , witrh no witnesses, the traffic just drove passed me for a few minutes , untill i decided to climb out the drivers window .
that is the normal thing to expect from people these days .
a commend anyone with enough courage to be a decent human being thse days . you have no idea . how much it hurts when people drive by.
and how relieving it may be when people help.

I hope that really didn't happen!

gtfpv · 29-09-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUIIForte

I hope that really didn't happen!

you bet your life it did . followed by 12 months of depression . but you do get over it .

AUIIForte · 29-09-2008, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

you bet your life it did . followed by 12 months of depression . but you do get over it .

Geeze, I just don't know what to say. That post hit me like a train. For people to be so heartless. I am so sorry, in the deepest that I can express, to hear that you had to suffer through such pain and agony. To also think that they would just drive off and get away with it and leave you there to die.

I just don't know what more to say. Just that I am so dissapointed and saddened in people these days.

What happened to Australia?

DBourne · 29-09-2008, 05:57 PM

top effort mate. well done

blueoval · 29-09-2008, 06:03 PM

gutsy move to do what you did made. Congrats on taking the initiative to help.

Most people would just stand there with their hand over their mouth in shock.

To move as quickly as you did could be the difference between life and death for those involved.

BOOSTDEF · 29-09-2008, 06:45 PM

I just did senior first aid and I was told not to Help if you do not have consent from the patient?

Looks like I was taught porkies!!

azaxr8 · 29-09-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOSTDEF

I just did senior first aid and I was told not to Help if you do not have consent from the patient?

Looks like I was taught porkies!!

If conscious yes, But you are advised to stay with them and protect them from danger specially if they have a head injury or in a state of disillusioned

If unconscious its your duty of care to help out. The law will back you up on this.

BOOSTDEF · 29-09-2008, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azaxr8

If conscious yes, But you are advised to stay with them and protect them from danger specially if they have a head injury or in a state of disillusioned

If unconscious its your duty of care to help out. The law will back you up on this.

Thats what I was thinking when I was being told.....

It would be hard just to walk passed someone in need of care....

But there have been those poor people who have helped out, and ended up with Bankruptcy due to the loopholes in the courts....

He did the right thing which was good.

azaxr8 · 30-09-2008, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOSTDEF

Thats what I was thinking when I was being told.....

It would be hard just to walk passed someone in need of care....

But there have been those poor people who have helped out, and ended up with Bankruptcy due to the loopholes in the courts....

He did the right thing which was good.

Yeh, points taken. I know there have been cases in america but i must of missed it in australia as i havent heard any. Considering committing suicide is illegal but saving someone from dying and then getting sued because they wanna die and winning?

blueoval · 29-09-2008, 06:48 PM

gtfpv - My feelings go out for you man. How can people call themselves human if they can just drive by some in REAL need for help. It makes me sick.

azaxr8 · 29-09-2008, 06:56 PM

Just resat my Senior first aid and OFA, What you done was the most vital step in resusitation. Tilting head back and opening airways as unconscious patients have no control over there tongue and will block the airway.

Also when removing them from the vehicle straight away was a top choice!!. Even thou it can cause extra damage to spine due specially in a car accident. But you must remove all crushing forces and if there unconscious u have no choice otherwise they will suffocate themself.

Good work.. Senior first aid is a cheap 2 day course and is great. Work will most likely pay for it in most cases.

krt10 · 29-09-2008, 07:31 PM

gtfpv. i dont understand how people can be so selfish. to see another human being in i potential life ending situation and just drive past. that just makes me angry.
i didnt even have to think twice about helping and i cant understand how anyone else would not.
i feel sorry fro what happened to you. glad to hear that you got over it though.

azzaxr8, we couldnt remove him from the car as he was trapped in there. we were also advised not too