WHAT TO DO (AND NOT DO) AT THE SCENE OF A SNOW SPORTS ACCIDENT

 http://www.ski-injury.com/first_response

get asked by many people, what should I do if I see a serious accident on the ski slopes? What are the "do's" and the "don'ts"?

 

It's an important question - although those of us on the ski patrol will be in attendance as quickly as we can, if you're first on scene there is alot that you can do whilst waiting for our arrival that can make a real difference. This is by no means a definitive guide - if you want to know more, I suggest you attend a registered first aid course run by an organisation like the Red Cross or St Johns Ambulance. The best first aid courses of all for this sort of scenario though, are those run by the ski patrols themselves. For more information in the UK, visit www.basp.org.uk

DO	DO NOT
1. Summon professional help 2. Ensure that you, the scene and the casualty are safe 3. Assess conscious level and ABC 4. Immobilise the neck (spine) if necessary 5. Keep your casualty warm 6. Gather as much info as possible 7. Constantly reassess 8. Stay calm and reassure your casualty	1. Rush in without checking for safety 2. Move the casualty unless their life is in danger 3. Expose your casualty to the elements unless you have to 4. Remove neck immobilisation until professional help arrives 5. Remove the casualty's helmet unless their life is in danger 6. Remove the casualty's boot(s) 7. Give the casualty alcohol 8. Panic!