ABC of major trauma. Transport of injured patients.

* Public education in first aid and resuscitation appropriate clothing with reflective bands and designation labels, a helmet, and protective * An immediate communication system linking those at the accident site fear. Watch f jedmetal edge with ambulance control footwear. Watch for jagged metal edges, petrol . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~and chemical spillages, and drivers who decide to * An instant computerised printout at ambulance control of the site from g nd the ac ent by driving otehad which the call has been made and the map reference get round the accident by driving on the hard * Computerised identification of the nearest ambulance vehicles with shoulder. The patient should be moved instantly grading of their medical expertise. (These vehicles require a computer only if there is no chance of survival otherwise. printout of the accident location before being given full medical details) If you are not skilled in immediate care do not * An intelligent sequence of questions and answers between the controller get in the way of those who are. Doctors and the person reporting the accident inevitably have skills beyond those of the general * Immediately available medical advice to the controller public and should use them wisely and not panic. * Excellent lines of communication with emergency vehicles and immediate It is a widely held belief that mortality in both care staff the first and second half hours after injury * Adequate numbers of emergency vehicles with properly trained increases by a factor of three if medical paramedics on board intervention is delayed. It is essential that delays * Uniform back up from doctors who can give immediate care are minimised and skilled medical intervention * Sensible triage with direct communication with the selected hospital occurs as soon after injury as possible. Expert * Medical helicopter transport from distant or inaccessible sites to a network resuscitation must be given continuously during of hospitals and trauma units transport from the scene of the accident to the receiving hospital. Movement should not interrupt this process.