Jun 29 2009
Take care to Prevent Accidents this Summer
Prevention
June 24, 2009
By nature, accidents are unintentional. That’s not to say that accidents are always unavoidable.
Regardless of our precautions and preparations, there will always be true accidents — things that happen that are not preventable. So what do you do when an accident occurs?
“Examine the injury. If it is isolated and not too critical, you may be able to treat it at home, or immobilize it and transport the victim to help,” said Dixie Regional Medical Center emergency department physician Dr. Gordon Larsen. “Remember though, some serious problems can be present but not visible.”
Sometimes it is best to call for an ambulance.
Things to look for include:
- Injuries or pain in the chest, abdomen, or head.
- Trouble breathing.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Loss of consciousness, even if it is only temporary.
- Patient is confused or shows signs of shock (pale, lightheaded, nauseated).
Read more tips about preventing accidents in the Living Well column in Thursday’s Southern Utah Life, a section of The Spectrum & Daily News. Story from The Spectrum.com
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