After a road accident: first steps to protect bones and the spine

Road accidents are sadly common in areas along the highway. The right actions in the first few minutes can prevent further harm to an injured person's bones and spine.

Safety first

• Keep yourself and the injured person clear of moving traffic
• Call people nearby to help
• Call the national emergency service, 999

If a spinal injury is possible

• If the person has neck or back pain, is unconscious or can't move their arms or legs, don't drag them
• Keep the head, neck and body still and in a straight line
• Unless there is fire or another danger, don't move them until trained help arrives
• If they must be moved, several people should move the head, neck and body together onto something firm, like a board

If a fracture is possible

• Keep the limb still in the position you find it
• Don't try to pull it straight yourself
• Splint it gently with wood, stiff cardboard or folded newspaper
• If bone shows through a wound, cover it with a clean cloth; don't push the bone back in

If there is bleeding

• Press directly on the wound with a clean cloth
• If the cloth soaks through, don't remove it; add more cloth on top

Don't

• Give the injured person water or food: they may need surgery
• Massage, apply oil or use a traditional bone-setter's binding
• Go home without an X-ray because the injury seems minor

After an accident, take the injured person to the nearest hospital emergency department quickly. Even if the injury seems mild, have the bones and joints checked afterwards.