37.55. What should you do first if you discover a casualty in a road traffic accident with massive external bleeding from a wound located in the axillary area?
UAЩо Ви повинні насамперед зробити у разі виявлення в потерпілого у ДТП масивної зовнішньої кровотечі з рани, яка локалізована в пахвових ділянках?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety after a traffic accident and the driver’s immediate actions at the scene. In real situations, the ability to quickly provide first aid often determines whether the victim’s life can be saved, since massive external bleeding can lead to critical blood loss within minutes. For the theoretical exam, it is important to understand: in such situations, the priority is not comfort or communication, but the immediate elimination of a direct threat to life.
The question tests knowledge of the section of the Traffic Rules regarding the driver’s duties in the event of involvement in a traffic accident (paragraph 2.10 of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine) and understanding of the concept of “first aid” (paragraph 1.10). The logic of the Traffic Rules is simple: the driver must take urgent actions to save a life before medical professionals arrive, and in the case of massive bleeding, the fastest temporary stop is achieved by direct strong pressure on the bleeding site, especially when the injury is located high up, near the torso, where a tourniquet is often unsuitable.
The analysis of the answer options shows the priority of actions: helping the victim to take a comfortable position may be appropriate after partial control of bleeding, but is not the first step when there is a threat of instant blood loss. Calming and explaining further actions is useful for cooperation, but the time spent in the case of intense bleeding from the armpit area can cost a life. Instead, applying the maximum possible pressure to the wound immediately reduces blood loss and gives a chance to wait for the ambulance or continue first aid measures (pressure bandage, maintaining pressure) until medical professionals arrive, which fully complies with the requirements of the traffic rules.
Clause 2.10 (driver's duties in case of involvement in a road traffic accident)
In the event of involvement in a road traffic accident, the driver is obliged, in particular, to take measures to provide pre-medical assistance to the victims, call an ambulance (if necessary), and if this is not possible — send the victims by passing transport to the nearest medical facility.
This clause is the legal basis for the fact that the primary actions at the scene of an accident include urgent pre-medical measures, first of all — stopping massive bleeding (as a critically life-threatening condition).
Clause 1.10 (the term "Pre-medical assistance")
Pre-medical assistance — urgent actions carried out at the scene before the arrival of medical personnel, aimed at saving and preserving the lives of victims and preventing complications.
The content of this definition covers the primary actions in life-threatening conditions; in the case of massive external bleeding, such an urgent action is the immediate temporary stopping of the bleeding by applying the maximum possible direct pressure to the wound.
That is, the correct answer is "Apply the maximum possible pressure to the wound," given that according to the Traffic Rules, the driver in the event of an accident is obliged to take measures to provide pre-medical assistance, and its content involves urgent actions to save lives, primarily — the temporary stopping of massive bleeding.
In the event of a traffic accident, the primary task of the driver providing first aid is to preserve the life of the casualty. If you see massive external bleeding, you must act immediately, because significant blood loss within minutes can lead to loss of consciousness and the cessation of vital functions.
When the wound is located in the armpit area, applying a tourniquet is usually not effective or possible, since a tourniquet is applied to a limb above the wound, and the armpit area is "high" and close to the torso. Large blood vessels pass through this area, and if one of them is damaged, the bleeding will be intense. Therefore, the fastest way to buy time and reduce blood loss is to immediately apply mechanical pressure to the bleeding site.
In practice, this means: quickly press the wound with your palm or fingers through a clean napkin/bandage (if available), without wasting time on lengthy explanations or preparation. Then, when the bleeding is at least partially controlled, you can reinforce the bleeding control with a pressure bandage or maintain pressure until medics arrive. But the first action is decisive: pressing on the wound immediately reduces blood loss.
Thus, the correct answer is "Apply the maximum possible pressure to the wound," because in the case of massive bleeding from the armpit area, a tourniquet is often unsuitable, and direct strong pressure is the fastest way to temporarily stop the bleeding and prevent critical blood loss.