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Responding to an Accidental Injury
- 1. Responding to an Accidental Injury By: Wade O’Heron
- 2. Policy Public safety officers routinely respond to calls involving accidental injuries. Officers are expected to perform treatment within their scope of training when rendering aid. PS&S officers should never attempt to go above their scope of training when rendering aid.
- 3. Common Accidental Injuries Slips, trips, and falls account for some of the most common accidental injuries reported which can result in head injuries, fractures, cuts and abrasions.
- 4. Receiving the Initial Call When the officer receives the initial call for service, he or she should attempt to obtain the victim’s level of consciousness and breathing from the reporting party.
- 5. Receiving the Initial Call If after speaking with the reporting party the officer believes that the victim will require emergency medical attention, then EMS should be contacted immediately and requested to respond.
- 6. Receiving the Initial Call If the officer has no reason to believe that the victim will require immediate emergency medical attention, then he/she should respond to the victim’s location and assess the situation prior to contacting EMS.
- 7. Responding to the Scene While in route, the responding officer should request assistance from available public safety officers to help with rendering aid, crowd control, and gathering information/statements.
- 8. Arriving on Scene Upon arrival and prior to contacting the victim, the officer should ensure the scene is safe for all involved. If the scene is not deemed safe, then the officer should contact 911.
- 9. Arriving on Scene The officer should retrieve emergency equipment (A.E.D., First Aid Kit, etc.) from the security vehicle prior to contacting the victim.
- 10. Arriving on Scene Officers should minimize their contact with any sort of bodily substance without the use of proper protective equipment such as gloves.
- 11. Assessing the Victim Upon making contact with the victim, the officer should immediately begin assessing his/her condition. The officer should verify that the victim is alert and orientated. The following questions should be asked in order to determine if the victim is alert and orientated. 1. Can you tell me your name? 2. Can you tell me where you live? 3. Can you tell me your date of birth? 4. Can you describe the event leading up to your accident?
- 12. Assessing the Victim If the victim is unconscious, then the officer should check to see if he/she has a pulse. The officer should also check for breathing.
- 13. Assessing the Victim If after assessing the victim’s condition, the officer determines that emergency medical attention is needed or is unable to make a determination, then EMS should be contacted immediately and requested to respond for an assessment.
- 15. Contacting E.M.S. If EMS is contacted, the officer should continue providing the appropriate patient care until EMS arrives. The officer should attempt to make the victim as comfortable as possible, by using pillows, jackets, etc., without moving him/her. Note: If the victim attempts to get up or move, the officer should encourage him/her to remain still but not restrain him/her. Restraining or forcing a victim to remain still may cause further injury.
- 16. Contacting E.M.S. The victim has the right to refuse treatment from public safety officers and E.M.S.
- 17. Contacting E.M.S. The victim must be alert and orientated in order to refuse treatment. If the officer believes that the victim is not alert and oriented, then EMS must be contacted.
- 18. Head Injury When dealing with a possible head injury, the officer should immobilize the victim’s head by placing both of his/her hands, one on each side of the victim's head, keeping the head still.
- 19. Head Injury Do not cover ears. This may prevent further injury to the victim’s head/neck/spine. EMS should be contacted.
- 20. Fractures Ice packs can be placed on possible fractures to limit swelling. The officer should not try to straighten a fracture as this may cause further injury. EMS should be contacted.
- 21. Cuts & Scrapes Minor cuts and scrapes should be cleaned with soap and water and wrapped with a dry sterile dressing such as a band-Aid.
- 22. Cuts & Scrapes Cuts/scrapes that may require more in-depth attention should prompt the officer to contact EMS. While waiting for EMS to arrive, the officer should attempt to stop any bleeding by wrapping the wound in a dry sterile dressing such as gauze or kerlix. The officer should keep direct pressure on the wound even after it has been wrapped.
- 23. Questions?