BRAZIL Young man on a motorcycle lost control of his vehicle and crashed. After the accident, he remained conscious but was severely injured. Bystanders immediately called an ambulance, which transported him to the hospital.
Shockingly, one of the witnesses chose to film the suffering man instead of providing first aid. In such cases, first aid involves more than just calling ambulance. Even if there is no visible bleeding or life-threatening injury, a person after an accident can experience an acute stress reaction. The brain floods the body with an adrenaline cocktail, dulling pain and sometimes causing the injured person to try to move, which can worsen injuries. Once adrenaline levels drop, collapse, intense pain, chills, or emotional distress may occur. Proper first aid includes monitoring vital signs and calming the victim.
Incidents like this are a harsh reminder for all motorcyclists why wearing quality protective gear is essential. On a motorcycle, unlike in a car, there are no crumple zones, and even a minor fall can cause serious injury – without a helmet, it can be fatal. The human body is more fragile than we think, or are willing to admit.
