If you are the first person at a crash, you can assist until trained help arrives.

Make sure someone calls 000 for an ambulance.
(In remote areas, where there is no mobile phone coverage, call 112 for help).

To effectively manage casualties and the accident scene, follow the St John DRABC action plan.

Danger    Response    Airways    Breathing    Circulation

DANGER - Check for danger. Make sure it’s safe to approach the injured person.

RESPONSE - Confirm whether the injured person is conscious or unconscious. Shake them lightly, ask them questions or give them simple instructions. If they are unresponsive, they are unconscious.

AIRWAY – Protect the airway by rolling the injured person onto their side. Remember that a neck injury may have been sustained so you’ll need to support their neck whilst they are being rolled.

BREATHING – Once the injured person is lying on their side, clear their mouth of any obstructions (such as blood, vomit or loose teeth). Now make sure they’re breathing. (See section on “Restoring breathing” if they are not)

CIRCULATION – Apply direct pressure with bandages or clothing to stop any bleeding. If possible, elevate areas of bleeding to chest height. Keep the injured person as still as possible. You can prevent movement to the spine or any broken bones by packing clothing and equipment around them.

St John (NSW) conducts motorcycle First Aid training courses. They can also supply you with a specialised first aid kit. Call 1300 360 455 for details.

Additional tips on how to help motorcycle victims

Making the scene safe – if you are at the crash on your own, don’t risk your own life -

• Use your hazard lights to warn others
• Turn off the ignition in crashed vehicles to avoid a petrol fire
• Seek help from others to warn oncoming traffic
• Light the area – with your headlights
• Extinguish lit cigarettes
• Keep away from fallen power poles
• If power lines are touching a vehicle, stay away and call the local electricity provider.

Determine who’s been injured

• Check for victims in all crashed vehicles and look around for dazed or confused people
• Check if anyone is unconscious and make them a priority. Clear their airway and check breathing (DRABC).
• Only remove unconscious victims from their car if they are in danger of further injury and require life-saving first aid. You can cause serious additional injuries when moving an injured person
• Encourage conscious people to remain as still as possible and remain conscious

Assisting the injuredVictims with an open face helmet…

• If conscious, crash victims may remove their own helmet
• If unconscious, roll the victim onto their side, check their airways & check their breathing
• If breathing, leave them on their side
• If not breathing, help to restore it (see section on “Restoring breathing”).

Victims with a full face helmet…

• Raise the visor
• Only remove the helmet if the victim:
• Is unconscious
• Is vomiting
• Has severe head injuries Where possible, use 2 people to remove the helmet (one to remove it & one to support the victim’s neck)
• Hold the victim’s neck as still as possible
• Lift the helmet slowly & carefully to avoid moving the neck. Force the helmet sides apart & tilt the helmet forward to remove.
• Turn the victim onto their side
• Clear the airway & check breathing
• If not breathing, help to restore it (see “Restoring breathing”).

Airways, Breathing & Circulation
Clearing the airway…