A police officer’s dash cam just happens to capture an out of control SUV on a snow and ice covered highway. After the driver lost control of his vehicle it struck a guardrail and he was ejected. When you arrive the officer explains to you that he watched the man skitter across the pavement, stand up and walk to the side of the road.
View and discuss
As you watch the video, below, discuss these questions with your partner, company, or squad.
- What patient injuries do you anticipate based on just the dispatch information of “man ejected from an SUV?”
- How does your list of anticipated injuries change, if at all, after watching the video?
- Is c-spine immobilization indicated based on the mechanism alone?
- What associated signs or pertinent negatives will you use to determine the need for c-spine stabilization?
- The driver has no memory of the incident. What injury has he experienced and what is the field management?
Highly dangerous scene
One collision has already occurred due to dangerous driving conditions. You are now parked on the side of the road tending to this patient. What actions does your service and its response partners from law enforcement, fire/rescue, and roads/highways take to prevent a secondary collision with additional injuries?
Recognition of this scene as a highly dynamic and dangerous workplace might be the top lesson to take away from this video. Read and discuss the article L.C.E.S for car accident scenes. Watch a short video on the importance of always wearing high-visibility safety apparel.