Almost 90 per cent of the patients admitted here after accidents or other emergencies are brought in by quick-thinking and timely autorickshaw drivers which is why they are the guardians of our roads, said Sathish Devadoss, Medical Director of the Devadoss Multi Speciality Hospitals here on Saturday.
He was addressing an awareness camp and training programme for autorickshaw drivers on ‘First-aid and emergency care practices’ conducted by the Devadoss Multispecialty Hospital.
“Auto drivers are usually the first ones to volunteer and bring persons injured on roads to hospitals and basic knowledge of emergency care in the golden hour, which includes the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique, is necessary,” Dr Sathish Devadoss said.
S. Muthukumar Balaji, Orthopedician, conducted the session and demonstrated the CPR technique to the auto drivers.
Interacting with them, Dr. Muthukumar said that a scene survey should first be carried out when they saw that an accident happened which would help them judge the magnitude of the damage and injuries.
“There was a recent accident where two people were run over when they were helping passers-by on road with their vehicle and thus, it was important to have a concern for your own safety as well,” Mr Muthukumar added. The auto drivers were also briefed on handling persons who approach them with burns, heart ache or fractures.
“Many times, onlookers and bystanders automatically tend to make an injured person drink water to help them. Unless a person asks for water, they should not be forced to drink it as it might go down the wrong way and affect them,” the drivers were instructed.
While being addressed on helping women who have been victims of chain-snatching, the drivers were told to rush them to a doctor as a possible damage to the trachea during the snatching could cost them their lives.
“Persons who have a heart attack are also made to sit in an auto rickshaw filled with their family members and brought to the hospital which should be avoided as they should be brought lying down which will enhance blood circulation,” Dr. Muthukumar said.
“With an increase in people attempting self-immolation in public places and incidence of acid attacks, persons with burns should be transported to hospital with extreme care and caution,” he added.
The drivers were enlightened on taking care of persons with broken limbs and transport the amputated body parts to hospital.
