Q. I've just seen a bad collision. What can I do to help?
A. First and foremost, don't make things worse. Pass well beyond the wreck before signaling and pulling off of the road, out of harm's way. This keeps you from blocking the view of the collision to oncoming traffic, and it gives emergency crews room to work. Turn on your emergency flashers and raise your hood to call attention to yourself. Then carefully approach the wreck, avoiding dangerous situations like wires, fires or hazardous materials.
Next, turn off the ignitions of all vehicles to reduce the risk of fire. This simple step could keep a bad collision from becoming much worse. Remember, check for spilled gasoline or downed power lines before getting too close. And don't move an injured driver to get to his keys.
Now call for help if possible.
Be sure to stay on the line until the emergency dispatcher hangs up. If you're needed to administer first aid, assign the call to someone else and be specific: "You in the red jacket—call 9-1-1!" Consider carrying a cellular phone in your car. Many of today's models have emergency numbers programmed into them.
Check for injuries. Are victims awake and responsive? If so, encourage them not to move. If they don't respond, verify that they are breathing. Then attend to those with severe bleeding (wear latex gloves if possible). And remember:
NEVER MOVE A VICTIM UNLESS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE, LIFE-THREATENING DANGER SUCH AS FIRE, LEAKING FUEL OR RISING WATER
Q. Should I always stop?
A. Whatever the situation, your intervention might help save a life. Wouldn't you want to be helped if you were the one trapped or injured? Also, if you were involved in the collision, you must stop. All states impose severe penalties on drivers who don't stop in such cases. Remember, you can be "involved" in a collision without actually hitting anything. If you contribute to a crash in any way, you're obligated to stop.

If the fear of making a mistake keeps you from stopping, be aware that most states have "Good Samaritan" laws to protect individuals from liability if they stop and, in good faith, administer first aid. The scope of protection varies, so check your state's laws.
Q. What's my first step in treating the injured?
A. Before beginning any first aid, check to see if any victims are awake and responsive. This may help you assess the level of care each victim needs. A conscious victim's responses will often help you evaluate the extent of his injuries. "What hurts?" may reveal broken bones, bleeding or internal injuries. "Can you wiggle your fingers or toes?" could help you assess potential spinal damage. And no response at all might mean a victim isn't breathing
Q. don't think she's breathing! Now what?
A. First, make sure breathing has stopped. Is the victim completely non responsive? Is her chest rising and falling? Can you feel breathing? Hear it?

If the victim is still not breathing, begin artificial respiration. Pinch the victim's nose shut. Open your mouth wide, take a deep breath, and put your mouth tightly over the victim's (you may wish to carry a pocket mask or mouth barrier for such emergencies). Blow a full breath, then watch for the victim's chest to rise and fall. If she doesn't start breathing on her own, blow one full breath every five seconds. Do this for at least one minute. Be sure to breathe yourself - you don't want to hyperventilate!
Q. How do I control severe bleeding?
A. Press firmly against any wounds with some sort of bandage, preferably a thick pad of clean cloth. This will absorb the blood and allow it to clot. (If possible, place a barrier - several layers of cloth, vinyl gloves, a plastic bag - between you and the victim's blood.) If blood soaks through the dressing, don't remove it. That could open the wound further and make bleeding worse. Instead, add more layers of cloth and apply pressure even more firmly. If possible, get someone else at the scene to help you tie the bandage in place.

If the bleeding still won't stop, make sure you're pressing on the right spot. It's not a good idea to use your belt as a tourniquet. That might completely cut off the flow of blood, and could potentially lead to the loss of the limb.

Q. If I have to move someone, how should I do it?
A. Remember, you should only move a crash victim when there is an immediate danger such as fire or rising water. If you must move a victim, gently align his neck and spine. Then, if you are alone, carefully drag him backward by the clothes or armpits. Do not pull a victim sideways, as this will only aggravate spinal damage.

If you have help available, have one person support the head from underneath, keeping it in line with the spine. The others can then lift the body from the sides, evenly supporting it from underneath.
Q. I think she's in shock. Now what?
A. Shock occurs when a victim's circulatory system doesn't provide enough blood to his body and brain. A person doesn't have to appear injured to suffer from shock - in fact, shock victims often walk, talk and at first seem merely "shaken up." Shock can kill, so know how to recognize it. Telltale signs include pale, moist, clammy skin; dilated pupils; a weak and rapid pulse; shivering; thirst; nausea and vomiting; shallow breathing; weakness; a vacant expression and a detached attitude.

If you suspect an apparently uninjured victim is in shock, have her lie down and raise her feet slightly. It's generally best to place blankets and coats under her and around her to conserve heat. If the victim is nauseated, have her lie on her side. Then begin any additional first aid, talking to the victim as you work. A little kindness and understanding go a long way toward treating shock.
Q. Can you describe a good first aid kit?
A. Let's start with the requisite items: bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, blankets, latex gloves, a mouth barrier, flashlights, flares and reflectors. Gauze pads, gauze rolls, safety pins and alcohol swabs are excellent additions. Finally, keep change for a pay phone handy, even if you carry a cell phone.
Q. How can I help myself if I'm in a wreck?
A. If it's a minor collision with no injuries, you can best help yourself by staying calm and moving out of traffic. The key here is safety first, insurance later. Keep a pad and pencil handy, and use them, along with insurance forms, to exchange information once you've cleared the scene.

If you're in a major collision, you'll have to be the judge of whether or not you're injured and how quickly traffic is moving around you. Often, your best bet is to wait for help from a safe place - which just might be your car. If you're uninjured and traffic permits, you may want to begin first aid on those around you. But don't put yourself at more risk doing so. You'll be no help to anyone if you lapse into shock or get struck by a passing motorist.
Q. What other first aid training can I take?
A. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, is a combination of artificial respiration and chest compression used when a victim's heart has stopped. It should only be performed by someone professionally trained in the procedure. CPR is taught at most first aid courses, and is invaluable for drivers and parents.
Q. Is this all I need to know?
A. It's a good start, but no. It would be impossible, in this guide, to cover all the information you need to cope with highway emergencies. For more detailed training, you should register for some basic first aid courses, including a CPR course. It will cost you a little time and money, but the information you gain will be invaluable. Until then, please reread this collection of tips, and make it available to others.

Q. All this blood and breathing. Should I be worried about AIDS?
A. It's a common question, with a comforting answer. According to the American Medical Association, it is "extremely unlikely" that you will contract AIDS from a bleeding collision victim, or from mouth-to-mouth contact during artificial respiration. The HIV virus, which causes AIDS, is transmitted through sexual contact, infected blood, infected needles or childbirth, and not through casual contact. Still, for added peace of mind, you may want to keep several pairs of latex gloves in your first aid kit (freezer bags are a good substitute).

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