New York volunteer first fighter shot by male at the scene of an MVA on 1st March 2011. Listen to the dispatch tape from the incident and see further video footage on our news page. READ THIS ARTICLE

A great organisation that first hand I have seen in action. Keep up the good work.

Dr. Nic Sparrow

In the UK  farm subsidies have been focused on the environment and improving the habitat for our wildlife.  This policy has been highly successful and deer in particular have flourished.  In fact deer have done so well that a conservative estimate for the total population of all six species is over 1.5 million.  That is a lot of deer, and whilst they can be found in every… READ THIS ARTICLE

Michael Pickles had to have his leg amputated after a driver knocked him off his motorbike in 2003. Michael was riding down a single carriageway on his way to dinner at a friend’s house, when he realised a car overtaking in the opposite direction was not going to pull over in time. Michael tried to swerve to miss the car, but it clipped his motorbike, sending him flying.

Motor vehicle collisions are an all too common call for the Emergency Medical Services. In 2004, there were 280,840 reported casualties on the roads in Great Britain. Of these, 31,130 were seriously injured and 3,221 people killed.1 Despite this, the Government’s casualty reduction target of 40% fewer people being killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 2010 looks to be achievable. However, new problems are constantly emerging…

Mechanism of Injury

Injuries sustained

Signs

Treatment given

There are a number of things to consider when approaching a scene. Some of these have been listed below:-

• Dispatch to the incident – plan your route carefully
• Take into account road and weather conditions
• Make a slow and safe approach
• Park defensively in the ‘fend off position’ if appropriate
• Look for debris and vehicle hazards e.g. fuel, downed electricity cables, chemicals, and be aware of other vehicles

The Rescuers Approach to Airbags

• Airbags are designed to protect the occupants in the event of a collision however they present potential life threatening hazards to rescuers
• Always assume that all vehicles are fitted with airbags
• Protective clothing e.g gloves and safety goggles, must always be worn, especially when working inside a vehicle
• Rescuers in vehicles should

• Rear-end collisions can result in head, neck and spine injuries
• Careful attention must be paid to C-spine immobilisation
• Always look at the position of head rests in vehicles as this may give an indication of possible C-spine injuries, when inappropriately positioned

  READ THIS ARTICLE

 Below are a list of articles on the subject of motor vehicle collisions:-

• Airbags & Associated Dangers
• Airway vs C-spine Control
• Approaching the scene of a motor vehicle collision
• Deer Vehicle Collisions (UK)
• Emerging Issues
• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
• Head on collisions