By Nnabugwu Chizoba (Charismatic
Chizy)
Road traffic injuries have been
identified as one of the leading causes of Death in the world. This fact is in
my own thinking even more, in a developing country, like Nigeria. On daily
basis, reports from old and new media, hit the Nigerian public about deaths and injuries
that result from Road crashes.
In 2016 and 2017 alone, official record
reveals that Road Traffic Accidents in Nigeria led to 8937 (Eight thousand nine
hundred and thirty seven) deaths. Out of this figure 4,410 (Four thousand four
hundred and ten) deaths occurred in 2017, while 4,527 (Four thousand five
hundred twenty seven) happened in 2016. Within the same period of 2016 and 2017,
50,141 (Fifty thousand one hundred and forty one) people were injured in 16,495
(Sixteen thousand four hundred and ninety five) Road crashes. A lot more crashes,
deaths and injuries may have occurred and not captured or recorded within the
same period.
If you feel moved, agitated and concerned
about the statistics above, it is not surprising. This is because you care about
humanity and the number of lives that are wasted through road crashes.
Beyond the crashes and the
arguments about what lead to them, my concern in this piece is the number of deaths
and injuries that were preventable, even after the accidents have occurred; but
were not, due to actions and in-actions, of bystanders, although ignorantly.
Often bystanders observe road
crash scenes, but fall short of expectation, meaningful action and desirable impact.
Some of them would not take any action, while those that act, do so wrongly. Truth
is those that did not act, did not do so because they are unwilling or because
they care less. And those that act wrongly do not intend to cause any harm, death,
or aggravate the injuries. Apparently they acted in good fate. To say the
least, they acted out of passion and burning desire to assist. However, their actions
and in-actions in most cases facilitate death and exacerbate the injuries of crash
victims. That they were passionate and committed to helping the crash victims is
not in doubt. But something was missing.
Being worried, feeling concerned
and taken action to help road crash victims is very good and must be encouraged.
It is advisable for people to be passionate and indeed feel moved to help others
to reverse, overcome or change any undesirable situation, event or occurrence. But
more important is the need to take the right action.
Having said that let me tickle
you a little. Please consider these questions:
- How would you feel, if you know that many that die as a result of road crashes do so because of inadequate response or lack of timely assistance, by bystanders?
- Has it occurred to you that taking immediate action and applying the appropriate techniques can considerably reduce the number of deaths and injuries that occur during road crashes?
- Do you know that every single minute reduces the chances of survival of crash victims by 10%.
- Are you aware that 50% of road crash deaths occur few minutes after the accidents?
While you pulse to ponder over
the issues raised, I encourage you to also take your time to reflect over the questions
below; before proceeding with your reading.
- What will be your response if you know you can have the skills required to improve the situation for crash victims in the future?
- Would you avail yourself of the opportunity to be equipped with the right skill and knowledge?
- Do you know that first Aid is a vital initial step for providing effective and swift action that helps to reduce serious injuries and improve the chances of survival?
- Do you know that people die within 4 minutes, just because of blocked airway?
- Do you know also that victims with bleeding cases get more attention, while those with blocked airway die quicker?
Generally, emergency first aid response
helps to save life and improve the health of accident victims, as well as reduce
recovery time. It presents opportunity to make a difference between crash
victims living with temporary disability or long term one.
It is a well-known fact that all
road crashes do not require movement of the victims to the hospital. This does
not mean that pains and suffering associated with the crashes should be
ignored. Therefore, basic knowledge and techniques such as appropriate
bandaging, lifting and carrying (transport), can reduce degree of discomfort. Similarly,
emotional support like communicating right, with accident victims helps them to
stabilize faster. It makes them to feel calm, less anxious, collected, secure and
well-disposed to manage their situation better. Funny enough, simple cases sometimes
deteriorate, indeed rapidly due to poor management of victims.
I therefore, use this medium to call
on Nigerians to present themselves for First Aid training. The more people are
trained, the more the likelihood of first aiders being present and among bystanders
during Road crashes and the timelier, adequate and appropriate techniques are
applied. Put simply “First Aid” constitutes a very vital and critical aspect
of Road safety. In view of this, let me note that first aid provided in the
early minutes of any crash is vital. In most cases it separates crash victims
from death. More often than not, it is First Aid and the services of First
Aiders that are needed at both the urban and rural communities to offer basic
care immediately any crash occurs; before the services of medical Professionals
are provided.
For the good of all, won’t you enhance
your knowledge and capacity to save lives and promote health by getting
yourself trained in First Aid, the swift lifesaving, injury reduction and humanitarian
activity?
If you answer to this call, you
will become a valuable link in the chain of survival; instead of remaining a danger:
potential source of death and injury to accident victims (your willingness, interest,
commitment and desire to help notwithstanding).
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