So far this year, the Canary Emergency Service (SUC), attached to the public company Gestión de Servicios para la Salud y Seguridad en Canarias and dependent on the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, has registered 11,285 activations of health resources to attend to 8,729 traffic accidents in the archipelago.
This represents a 2% increase compared to those registered in the same period of 2024 when 11,025 activations were reported for 8,635 traffic accidents. It should be noted that several ground resources from the SUC were mobilized to attend to some incidents. By island, Tenerife registered the most incidents with 3,837, followed by Gran Canaria with 3,323; Lanzarote 737; Fuerteventura 523; La Palma 223, La Gomera 46, and El Hierro 40.
The immediate and correct action by witnesses to a traffic accident is vital for the effective intervention of emergency services, especially medical services, to minimize injuries and increase the survival rate of those injured. Therefore, the SUC reminds us of the guidelines that first responders should follow to carry out the best possible action.
After a traffic accident, SUC professionals recall that it is important to put the PAS conduct into practice, an acronym for Protect, Alert, and Aid, key steps to act appropriately in any emergency.
The first thing to do is to signal the location so that other drivers can detect what has happened. To do this, we must stop in a safe place that allows us to assess the situation and ensure we do not run risks when intervening.
Next, emergency services must be alerted by calling 112 and answering the questions asked quickly, but concisely and calmly, to correctly locate the accident and understand the full extent of the situation, such as the number of injured and their condition, paying special attention to their levels of consciousness, breathing, and mobility. For SUC professionals, this data is fundamental as it allows them to allocate resources based on the severity of the incident.
Third, the instructions provided by the SUC's coordinating doctors or nurses over the phone, through remote assistance, must be followed regarding safety measures and initial assistance to those affected while emergency resources are dispatched to the accident scene.Furthermore, when the injured person is trapped, it is advisable, if there is no risk and whenever possible, to turn off the vehicle's ignition, answer all questions from the SUC's health coordinator, and follow their instructions until the arrival of the various security and emergency resources, as, especially in these situations, acting incorrectly can severely worsen the extent of the injuries that the accident victim may have initially sustained.
In the event of any traffic accident, the Canary Islands Emergency Service reminds that any action taken on those affected must always be carried out under the supervision or express instruction of health coordinators until assistance resources arrive. Seemingly simple interventions, such as moving the victim, attempting to alleviate injuries, or administering food or drinks, can worsen their condition or cause unwanted effects.
Therefore, it is recommended not to move or manipulate the affected person, unless there is an immediate risk to their safety and always following the instructions provided by SUC professionals via teleassistance. Likewise, it is essential to monitor the evolution of the injured person and immediately communicate any relevant changes to the medical staff
The SUC insists that citizen collaboration is essential, but it must be carried out safely and guided by professionals to avoid additional harm or iatrogenic behaviors, thus ensuring the best possible care until the arrival of emergency teams