Emergency Medical Care at the Trackside for Non Medical Personnel

Emergency Medical Care at the Trackside for Non Medical Personnel
Dr. Mark Haworth

Donington emergency services team

Priorities of Care

Personal safety

Recognise and treat immediately life threatening injuries

Do no further harm

Call for medical assistance early

Rescue unit response times
Theory - 90secs. To arrival on scene

Practically - including making the decision, waking up the crew etc. 3-5mins.

Personal safety

Venture onto the track only when it is safe to do so

All incidents must be covered by appropriate flag signals

Race stop if necessary to ensure personal safety

Fire hazards etc. Must be dealt with before approaching the casualty

What will happen to a driver who is not breathing
3 - 4 mins. Brain damage likely

4 - 5 mins. Brain damage inevitable, death likely

5 - 6 mins. Death inevitable

Priorities in Medical Treatment

Airway with cervical spine control

Breathing

Circulation

Cervical Spine Control

Always possibility of neck injury in high speed impact or roll

Immobilise neck manually

Do not attempt to remove crash helmet unless it is necessary to gain access to the airway

Do not attempt to right an overturned car unless it is necessary to gain immediate access to a trapped driver

When Should We Attempt to Right an Overturned Car?

If unable to gain access to the driver by any other means AND

He is unconscious AND

He is not breathing

On Approaching the Casualty

Approach from the front.

Talk to him. If he responds appropriately in a normal voice his airway is clear and circulation adequate

Do nothing other than reassure him and stabilise his neck

Do NOT remove a crash helmet

If Casualty Does Not Respond

Lift helmet visor if necessary

Check breathing. LOOK

LISTEN

FEEL

If the casualty is breathing adequately do nothing other than stabilise the neck

Do NOT remove a crash helmet

If Casualty Is Not Breathing Adequately

Call for medical assistance

Remove crash helmet whilst the neck is stabilised by someone else

Reassess breathing. Removing the helmet may cure the problem

Signs of Inadequate Breathing

Unable to feel or hear air movement

Abnormal or no chest movement

Unconsciousness

Abnormal noises from the airway

Blue lips/fingertips

Clear the Airway

Jaw thrust

Chin lift

Clear debris

Once the Airway Is Clear

Maintain neck immobilisation

Check breathing again
LOOK
LISTEN
FEEL

If Breathing Is Still Inadequate

Begin artificial respiration with the neck still immobilised

2 breaths then recheck breathing

If Breathing Remains Inadequate

Continue artificial respiration at a rate of 10 to 15 breaths per min.

By this time, hopefully, a Rescue Unit will have arrived to render expert assistance.

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