What To Do When You Think You're Injured - SimpleStepsForLivingLife

”What To Do When You Think You’re Injured ” is a collaborative post. Please see the disclosure page for more information. Disclaimer – always verify medical information with your doctor or a professional.

Getting into an accident and when you’re injured can be a very harsh way of reality, hitting and realizing we’re not as invincible as we think we are. Whether you’ve tripped and fell or been in a car accident, here’s tips what to do when you think you’ve been injured.

Image Source

Call Emergency Services

Before calling any relatives or friends, call emergency services when you’re injured. Call for help ASAP or if a crowd has gathered, point to a specific person and say, “You call 9-1-1.” Often times, people will assume someone else has called emergency services. When everyone else finally realizes no one has called, it has wasted time getting EMT on location. They might then take you on to a hospital or specific specialty medical center like Texas Orthopedics for any broken bones. It’s good to have an ambulance to take you to safety and to put you with those who can help you. I was so thankful when the EMTs showed up to take me to the hospital after a harrowing fall down an extended ladder about 5+ years ago. Luckily, I had my phone in my back pocket and was able to call 9-1-1. Three of my ribs were broken and I had a huge gash on my knee. Thankfully, my kiddos weren’t right under me when it happened and I wasn’t alone(even if they were all 4 years old and under at the time). My sweet little 4 year old hero unlocked the front door and waited with it open in the foyer. It can be scary to be injured and on your own, so while waiting for emergency services to arrive, try flagging down any passersby, if they aren’t already around to assist you.

Check For Visible Damage

Visible damage is the first thing to check for when you’re injured because if you’re in a situation where you’re bleeding, you need medical attention quick! Check carefully for any visible damage, whether that be blood, bruising, or a clearly broken bone. Keep calm and try to focus on your breathing to get over the shock of whatever accident just happened. That’s important because it’ll help you think more clearly and not send your body into shock. Be wary of what’s around you, and if you are in any imminent danger, it’s better to move to safety than to just sit there. Visible damage might also need to be tended to by yourself, especially if it’s a loss of blood. Apply pressure to the wound, and that will help stop the blood from gushing out.

To Move or Not To Move?

The next thing you want to do is assess whether you can or even should try to move your body. The best thing to do is to NOT move until paramedics arrive. If you are in immediate(life-or-death) danger, do what you can get remove yourself from harms way without injuring yourself further. If you’re having real trouble moving a body part or have been in a major accident, then keep as still as possible if there is not imminent danger. You might be able to feel where you’ve been hurt just by muscle movement or pinpointing where the initial pain is coming from. If you require emergency medial assistance, it will be helpful for the EMTs to know exactly where things hurt. When I fell down the giant ladder, it was obvious that my knee was busted open and bleeding but not obvious that my ribs were broken to them. I informed them that I could feel the bones floating around a bit, but that’s not what scared me. I stayed as still as possible until they got there because I was fearful that my back was broken. Thankfully, it was just my ribs! But I’m still glad to have stayed still as possible so not to further damage what was already damaged.

Get In Touch With Relatives

Your relatives are going to be worried if they don’t hear back from you immediately after you’re injured. If you can give them a call to check in and to inform anyone who may come to meet you where you’re going. The EMTs were so so so great to talk with my sister over the phone as they were strapping me to stretcher. This might not be something that can happen right away if you are in a major accident. While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, call your family or good friend to let them know what is going on. Be sure to tell them to please not get hyped up as you are trying to remain calm to not go into shock(if it’s a really bad accident this is so important). While you are waiting for the EMTs, calling a relative or friend to inform them of the situation is important but also they can keep you company while you are waiting. My sister was so sweet to do this after I had fallen off the ladder. She helped me to keep calm until they arrived. She was also only 15 minutes from my house and was heading to the hospital as I was. It’s good to have a familiar face with you when you’re going to a hospital because it can often be a little daunting for some. Be sure to give the number to those looking after you at the hospital, too, just in case you’re not in a state to do so for any reason. They can help with providing the hospital important medical history, health insurance, or general information they will need.