Hino has released the alarming statistic that nearly 70 per cent of truck drivers in Australia have been first responders to road accidents and has issued a reminder to all drivers to be prepared to help if they find themselves first onto the scene.
The manufacturer has published a seven-step method for those arriving at the scene of an accident:
- Prioritise safety – this can be done through remaining calm, wearing high visibility clothing, signalling your location and assessing the scene for hazards.
- Assess the scene and evaluate the victims to further understand the scope of the emergency
- Call emergency services – provide key information from your assessment and stay on the line until the operator instructs you to hang up.
- Check the victims – Prioritise care based on the severity of injuries sustained, utilise your first aid kit, and wear gloves if you have them. Communicate with the injured and assess responsiveness and perform first aid if necessary.
- Follow up – once emergency responders arrive at the scene give them a summary of what you know about the incident.
- Check in – the stress and trauma associated with first responder roles can often compound mental health issues among truck drivers. Organisations like Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds and Rural Outreach Counselling can help provide support for the first responder following the incident.
2024 is shaping up to be one of the most fatal years on Australian roads in recent memory, and with the Red Cross stating fewer than five per cent of people in Australia are trained in first aid, it is important for all road users to ensure their skills remain up to standard.
For truck drivers, NatRoad and St John Ambulance offer free first aid training in recognition of the likelihood of truckies being first responders to a scene.
A free Australian Red Cross Essential First Aid guide is also available here, while NatRoad’s collaboration with St John Ambulance to create a truckie first aid kit can also be accessed here.
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