Emergency Response – What is P.A.S.

The P.A.S. system based on the first response to a situation, in which the primary concern should always be protection, then advising others, and then assisting those in need.

In Spanish, PAS is derived from Proteger Avisar Socorrer, which we could translate to Protect, Advise, Assist.

Let us look at the three elements. You can see how these come together on the pictogram, remembering that the first and most important stage is safety.

Protect

What to Do.

Knowing what to do if you witness a traffic accident can not only save the lives of the injured, but also your own. Never forget the three steps: Protect, Advise and Assist.

Self-protection. Park your own vehicle in a safe spot and wear your reflective vest before leaving it.

Keep away from a burning vehicle or if you notice that it is transporting dangerous goods.

Protect the accident site. Signal the area as soon as possible by placing warning triangles and switching on your hazard warning lights.

Advise

Call the emergency services on 112 (they speak multiple languages, including English).

Information to provide:

1. Location of the place of accident (street, number, kilometre point, if it is a two-way street, the address, and report any other detail that can assist in identifying your location quickly: chapel, restaurant …
2. The number of injured people and all the information you can provide (if unconscious, bleeding etc).
3. Special circumstances (the existence of trapped persons, danger of falling vehicle, if they are transporting dangerous goods, if fallen into water etc).
4. Characteristics and number of vehicles.
5. Wait from the controllers to confirm the details before hanging up.

Assist

Be extremely careful in order to not add or aggravate injuries.

You should not do.

1. As a general rule, do not move the injured, nor remove them from the vehicle.
2. If they are a biker, do not remove the helmet.
3. Do not give drink, food or medication.
4. Do not allow them to move on their own.
5. Do not leave until emergency services say it is okay.

You should do

1. Stay close to the injured, if possible, at their side. Try to keep them calm.
2. If necessary, and always if you know how to, perform first aid.

An English version of the poster was published in Issue 3 of N332 RoadWatch magazine. Click here to read that issue.