What to do at an accident

It just might be that one day you are the first, or only, person to arrive at the scene of an accident, or you may be involved in an accident but uninjured. Would you know what to do? 

The advice on this page is basic, simple, and can save lives. 

Warn others

Park your car with hazard lights and/or headlights on ideally facing approaching traffic. Place a warning triangle in the road.

If there are other people who can help send them back along the road to wave traffic in order to slow it down. Take care on fast moving roads ... Other drivers might not understand what you are trying to do.

Reduce risks

Check the scene, switch off engines, impose a no smoking ban. Keep children at a safe distance.

Summon help

Send someone for help or use your mobile phone. The UK emergency number is 999 (or 112 on a mobile phone. Call 911 in the USA.

Click here for a worldwide list of emergency numbers.

Dial the emergency number and when the operator answers, state the service required.

Give the following information

Your telephone number (if you are cut off the emergency service will be able to contact you).

The location of the incident: Road names or numbers, landmarks, map reference, etc.,

Description of the incident, for example, "Motorcycle has hit a bus - the motorcyclist is not moving".

Assess injuries

The quiet casualties are probably the worst injured. Reassure the noisy ones that help is on the way.

Simple first aid

Don't move casualties: You may cause further injury.

Check for breathing: If the casualty is not breathing, clear the mouth (false teeth, chewing gum, sweets) very gently tilt the head back and, holding their nose, gently blow into them at five second intervals.

Stop bleeding: Firm pressure on a wound will stem bleeding.

Don't give casualties anything to eat or drink: This can cause complications for medics and delay life saving treatment.

Learn more

Attend a first aid course to learn the basics. It's easy to save lives with simple skills that can be learned in just a few hours.

Stay calm - stay safe!