Kerala CM Satheesan helps accident victim: Doctor explains why an ambulance matters

A video showing an accident victim lying on Ernakulam's Container Road being carried to a hospital in Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan's pilot vehicle had gone viral on social media on Sunday. While many appreciated the CM for the same, neurosurgeon and writer Dr Manoj Vellanaad points out that there are risks of moving an unconscious trauma patient without following proper protocols.

The incident initially appeared to be a commendable gesture when he first read about it, but the video left him distressed, says the doctor.

“This is not how an accident victim should be moved to the hospital. Lifting an injured person with the help of five or six people without even a spine board is more dangerous than leaving the person lying there,” he said.

Whether the victim is conscious or unconscious, he must be handled strictly in accordance with established trauma protocols, Dr Manoj said. He listed three major risks associated with moving an accident victim without following proper procedures.

1. Spinal cord injury
Road accident victims face a high risk of neck and spinal injuries. Lifting a victim by the arms and legs without a spine board or cervical collar can cause fractured or displaced vertebrae to injure or compress the spinal cord. This could result in permanent loss of movement in the limbs, leading to paraplegia or quadriplegia and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death.

2. Airway obstruction
When an unconscious patient is moved without properly stabilising the head and neck, the tongue can fall backwards and block the airway, making it difficult for the person to breathe.

3. Increased internal bleeding
If the pelvis or ribs are fractured, bending or shaking the body while placing the victim in a conventional vehicle can cause bone fragments to penetrate internal organs such as the liver and spleen, resulting in severe internal bleeding. It can also worsen bleeding that has already occurred, the doctor pointed out.

The doctor then explained how an accident victim should be handled, stressing that proper immobilisation and safe shifting techniques are crucial to prevent further injury.

Immobilisation is critical: The head, neck and spine should be kept aligned and immobilised to prevent further injury. A cervical collar and rigid spine board should be used for this.
Log roll technique: Even while shifting a victim to a spine board, the body should not be allowed to bend or twist. Following instructions from the person stabilising the head, rescuers should move the victim together as a single unit, like rolling a log, before placing him on the board.

Why an ambulance matters: When an injured person is placed in a cramped position inside a conventional car or jeep, it may not be possible to provide artificial respiration or other lifesaving interventions. A life support-equipped ambulance with an oxygen cylinder, suction machine and stretcher is what the victim needs.

Except in situations involving a fire, the risk of a vehicle catching fire or another immediate emergency, it is advisable to wait for an ambulance equipped with basic medical facilities and shift the victim safely, the doctor said.

Dr Manoj said the chief minister may not necessarily have a technical understanding of such procedures. However, trained personnel, including police officers, were involved in lifting the victim, and they should not have handled him in that manner, he said.

“Even if a vehicle is available, it is better to call an ambulance and wait five or 10 minutes if necessary, so that the victim can be taken to a hospital in the safest possible manner,” he added.