b'Road AccidentsChapter hapterIt is most unfortunate but road accidents just keep happening. Road accidents in Australia are one of the leading causes of death and injury than from any other type of accident. It is likely that you will unexpectedly come across a serious road accident at some stage throughout your lifetime.At the Scene of a Road AccidentAt the scene of a road accident, a person may survive the initial impact but, if unconscious, can die from airway obstruction by foreign material or tongue, or even bleed to death.Action taken by the first person on the scene may prevent avoidable brain damage or loss of life.Safety is the very first consideration. Carefully check and survey the scene from a safedistance before approaching the accident. Assess if there are any dangers in the general environment such as other traffic, unstable damaged vehicles, fallen power lines, fire, leaking fuel or gas, fumes or toxic materials, unstable structures, emotional or even violent bystanders.Try to make the accident scene as safe as possible for yourself, patients and bystanders. Staywell clear if any hazardous materials have been discharged.Identify the number of patients and if any have life threatening injuries. Attend to lifethreatening injuries first (unconsciousness, bleeding, trapped etc).Call Ambulance 000.All accident patients lying on a road / railway line / tram line or where there is traffic, should bemoved to a safer location. Check / assess for suspected Spinal Injuries refer page 94.Stay with and assist the injured.Road Accidents 235'