A victim has a closed fracture of the lower limb and complains of severe pain. He is waiting for the arrival of the medical rescue team. What actions should be taken by a witness to the incident?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
A. Encourage the victim not to move.
Explanation
In the photo, you can see a red first aid kit with the emergency numbers 999 and 112. When a casualty has a closed fracture of the lower limb, a witness to the incident should encourage the casualty not to move - answer A.
Moving a broken limb increases the pain and may shift the bone fragments, damaging blood vessels and nerves. That is why, until the medical rescue team arrives, the casualty should lie still, and you may support the limb in the position you found it in, for example with rolled-up clothing. Giving painkillers (answer B) is not the witness's job - the witness does not know the casualty's illnesses and allergies, and the medicine may hide symptoms. Raising the limb above the heart (answer C) requires moving the fracture and may make the injury worse. You also protect the casualty from getting cold.
Legal basis: Art. 162 § 1 of the Criminal Code