A road accident can turn an ordinary day into a life-threatening emergency within seconds. A motorcyclist may be lying unconscious on the road, a pedestrian may be bleeding heavily, or passengers may be trapped inside a damaged vehicle. In such situations, the first few minutes are critical. While some people rush to help, others panic, gather around the victim, or record videos on their mobile phones. Unfortunately, a lack of first-aid knowledge can sometimes turn a potentially survivable injury into a tragedy.
As an Emergency Medical Officer, I believe that road safety awareness should extend beyond preventing accidents. Every citizen should also know how to respond when an accident occurs. You do not need to be a doctor to help save a life. However, knowing what to do—and what not to do—can make a significant difference before professional medical assistance arrives.
Here are some essential recommendations everyone should know.
1. Stay calm and make the scene safe
Key advice: Never rush into danger without assessing the situation.
Before approaching an injured person, look for moving traffic, fire, leaking fuel, electrical hazards or other dangers. A rescuer who is struck by another vehicle may become a second victim.
• Stop at a safe distance and assess the surroundings.
• If possible, ask someone to warn approaching traffic from a safe position.
• Do not stand in the middle of a busy road or attempt a dangerous rescue.
• Avoid smoking or creating sparks near a vehicle if fuel leakage is suspected.
• Move the victim only if an immediate danger makes remaining at the scene unsafe.
Remember: your safety is the first step towards saving someone else's life.
2. Call emergency services immediately
Key advice: Do not waste valuable time waiting for someone else to take responsibility.
In Bangladesh, call 999, the national emergency service, and request appropriate assistance. Clearly explain the location, the number of injured people and any immediately life-threatening conditions, such as unconsciousness or severe bleeding.
• Give a clear landmark, road name or nearby identifiable location.
• Describe the victim's condition as accurately as possible.
• Follow the emergency operator's instructions.
• Ask a specific person to make the call rather than shouting generally for help.
• If possible, arrange for someone to guide responders to the scene.
• If you are alone, use speakerphone so you can communicate with the operator while providing first aid. Do not assume that someone else has already called.
3. Check consciousness and normal breathing
Key advice: An unconscious person needs immediate assessment.
Once the scene is safe, speak loudly to the victim and ask whether they can hear you. If there is no response, check whether they are breathing normally.
• If the person is unconscious and not breathing normally, or is only gasping, call for emergency assistance and begin CPR according to your training and the emergency dispatcher's instructions.
• If an automated external defibrillator (AED) is available, ask someone to bring it.
• If the person is unconscious but breathing normally, monitor their breathing continuously and maintain an open airway.
• If a spinal injury is suspected, avoid unnecessary movement, but prioritise airway management if breathing is threatened.
Do not assume that an unconscious person will recover simply by resting. Every minute can matter in a life-threatening emergency.
4. Control severe bleeding without delay
Key advice: Firm, continuous pressure can help prevent life-threatening blood loss.
Severe external bleeding is one of the most urgent problems after a road accident. A victim may lose a dangerous amount of blood before reaching a hospital.
• If available, wear disposable gloves or use a suitable barrier.
• Apply firm, direct pressure over the wound using clean gauze, a dressing or a clean cloth.
• Maintain continuous pressure rather than repeatedly lifting the cloth to inspect the wound.
• If blood soaks through, add more material on top and continue applying pressure.
• If an object is embedded in the wound, do not remove it; apply pressure around it.
• For life-threatening bleeding from an arm or leg that cannot be controlled by direct pressure, a commercial tourniquet may be necessary. Use one if available and you are trained, or follow emergency-dispatcher instructions. Do not loosen it yourself.
• Do not waste time searching for perfect supplies when immediate pressure can be applied safely. However, protect yourself from direct contact with blood whenever possible.
5. Do not move the victim unnecessarily
Key advice: A person who can speak or walk may still have a serious injury.
Road accidents can cause fractures, head injuries and damage to the neck or spine. Some injuries are not immediately obvious. Pulling, lifting or forcing a victim to stand may worsen the damage.
• Leave the person in the position in which they were found, provided the scene is safe.
• Encourage them to remain still.
• Support the head in a comfortable, neutral position if possible, without forcing the neck.
• Do not pull the victim by the arms or legs.
• Do not attempt to straighten a broken limb or push a protruding bone back into place.
• Do not routinely remove a motorcyclist's helmet. Removal may be necessary for airway management or resuscitation, ideally by trained responders.
• If the person is in immediate danger from fire, traffic or another hazard, move them only as far as necessary to reach safety, using appropriate assistance when possible.
6. Arrange safe transport to hospital
Key advice: The fastest transport is not always the safest transport.
An ambulance is preferable for seriously injured victims because trained responders can assess the patient's condition, support breathing, control bleeding and arrange appropriate care.
• Call emergency services and follow their guidance.
• Avoid moving a person with suspected spinal, pelvic or major limb injuries into a private vehicle unless an immediate evacuation is necessary or emergency services advise that ambulance transport is unavailable.
• If immediate danger requires evacuation, move the victim only as far as needed to reach safety.
• Do not delay lifesaving care while waiting for ideal equipment when urgent action is necessary.
• Never allow an injured person to drive themselves to hospital.
Transport decisions should consider both the victim's condition and the safety of everyone involved.
7. Never give food, water or oral medicines to a seriously injured victim
Key advice: An apparently simple gesture may create additional danger.
An unconscious, drowsy or severely injured person may have difficulty swallowing and could choke or inhale fluids into the lungs. Emergency surgery may also be required.
• Do not give water, food, tea, alcohol or oral medication to an unconscious or seriously injured victim.
• Do not pour water on the face to wake someone up.
• Do not apply toothpaste, powders, oils or unverified substances to wounds.
• Do not attempt to treat serious injuries with home remedies.
Instead, reassure the person, monitor their breathing and wait for professional assistance.
8. Keep the victim warm and provide reassurance
Key advice: Simple supportive care can reduce distress while help is on the way.
An injured person may be frightened, confused or in shock. Speak calmly and explain that help is coming.
• Cover the victim with a clean cloth or blanket to reduce heat loss.
• Avoid unnecessary movement.
• Reassess consciousness and breathing regularly.
• Watch for worsening drowsiness, difficulty breathing, pale or clammy skin, increasing confusion or continued heavy bleeding.
• Report any deterioration to the emergency operator.
Never leave a seriously injured person alone if you can safely remain with them. Reassurance cannot replace medical treatment, but it can help reduce panic and support a more organised response.
9. Avoid crowding, filming and spreading misinformation
Key advice: Be a responsible bystander, not merely a spectator.
Crowds can block ambulances, obstruct traffic and prevent rescuers from reaching the victim. Recording and sharing photographs of injured people can also violate their privacy and dignity.
• Keep unnecessary bystanders away from the immediate scene.
• Do not film or post identifiable images of victims without appropriate consent.
• Do not spread rumours about the cause of the accident.
• Do not argue with other bystanders or interfere with trained responders.
• Offer practical help: call emergency services, control the crowd from a safe position or guide the ambulance.
A few organised helpers are often more useful than a large, uncontrolled crowd.
10. Learn basic first aid before an emergency occurs
Key advice: Preparation is better than panic.
Schools, colleges, workplaces, transport organisations and community groups should encourage practical first-aid training. Drivers, motorcyclists, public transport workers, students and community volunteers can all benefit.
• Everyone should learn how to call for emergency assistance, recognise abnormal breathing, perform CPR according to their training, control severe bleeding and protect an injured person from further harm.
• Hospitals and healthcare professionals also have an important role in promoting road safety and public first-aid education.
Conclusion: Be prepared to save a life
The first 10 minutes after a road accident are not a guaranteed window in which every life can be saved. Some injuries require immediate advanced medical treatment. Nevertheless, these early minutes provide a vital opportunity to prevent further harm, recognise life-threatening problems, control severe bleeding and activate emergency services without delay.
Every citizen should remember three priorities: ensure safety, call for help and provide appropriate first aid.
Do not panic. Do not crowd the victim. Do not let a mobile phone become more important than a human life.
You may never know when you will encounter a road accident. But if that moment comes, your knowledge, calmness and responsible actions may help save someone's life. Road safety is everyone's responsibility—and sometimes, being prepared to help is the most important responsibility of all.
The writer is Emergency Medical Officer, Aichi Medical College & Hospital
E-mail: basakdoctor@gmail.com