Every year, 17th October is celebrated as World Trauma Day. This day focusses on the increasing rate of accidents and injuries causing death and disability across the world and the need to prevent them.
The “Epidemic” of modern times, Trauma means “any injury caused to the body”. The injury may be caused due to many reasons like road accidents, fires, burns, falls, acts of violence and crimes against the vulnerable population including women, children and elderly. Amongst all the causes, Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is the leading cause of trauma across the world. Many injuries may lead to temporary or permanent disability while others may even cause death. The burden of disease due to trauma is increasing at an alarming rate. This not only increases the morbidity and mortality rate, but also affects the national productivity on account of younger population being mainly involved in road accidents. Therefore, we should all take the required precautions in order to prevent any injuries.
In India, deaths due to trauma exceed those due to cancer and heart diseases combined. In 2013, 400,000 young lives were lost in road accidents. In 2015, at least 1.5 lakh (150,000) people died due to road accidents in India. Apart from causing deaths, trauma will, by 2020, be ranked third for causing disabilities among the Indian population. India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents. One million people are killed and over 20 million hospitalized each year. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister set a goal to reduce car fatalities by 50% by 2020.
Road designing plays an important role in preventing trauma. It is the duty of every citizen of every country to act responsibly. The deaths and disabilities can be prevented if proper training is imparted to the common man on how to handle emergency care in accident cases.
GOLDEN HOUR
The period immediately after an accident is a crucial factor in trauma cases. With poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan who can provide first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust are some key techniques to be kept in mind while approaching a trauma client. Usually after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims are able to breathe. After an accident, often the tongue rolls back blocking the airway. As a by-stander, all one has to do until paramedics arrive is: lift the jaw and chin and that will prevent the tongue from rolling back and allow passage of air.
Uncontrolled bleeding injuries can result from natural and manmade disasters and from everyday accidents. If this bleeding is severe, it can kill within minutes, potentially before trained responders can arrive. Providing bystanders with basic tools and information on the simple steps they can take in an emergency situation to stop life threatening bleeding can save lives. Research has shown that bystanders, with little or no medical training, can become heroic lifesavers. Similar to the use of CPR or automatic defibrillators, improving public awareness about how to stop severe bleeding and expanding personal and public access to Bleeding Control Kits can be the difference between life and death for an injured person.
Help often does not reach within the golden hour, but if people are careful and observe safety and wear helmets, then the maximum number of deaths can be prevented.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
Do’s
- Follow the road safety rules carefully.
- Pay close attention to the warning signs and traffic signals while driving.
- Always wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler.
- Avoid distractions like mobile phones and loud music while on road.
- Take short breaks in case of long, continuous driving.
- Keep your children away from electric switches and wires, sharp objects and medications.
- Always keep a first aid safety kit at your home and in your vehicle.
- Ensure that your stairs, windows, balconies and roofs are secure in order to prevent falls.
- Learn basic life support techniques and help the injured.
Don’ts
- Do not drive when you are tired, sleepy or drunk.
- Do not take any risks while driving, in case you are in a hurry.
- Do not operate hazardous machinery.
- In case of a head or spinal injury, do not move the person from the site of accident without any professional’s help. Moving the injured person may cause serious back or neck injuries.
- Do not give fluids to any unconscious or semi-conscious traumatized person.
What to do in case of an accident?
Call the emergency helpline number and get adequate help at the earliest possible. Remember that every second is crucial for the injured person. It is important that the injured receives medical care in the golden hour. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Trauma is no accident. It can be easily prevented by staying alert. So, help yourself as well as others by acting responsibly. Call the police to report the details of the accident.