By Staff Reports
(Hawaii)– From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
In a disaster, people often look around trying to figure out what to do. This can lead to the bystander effect – people figure somebody else will help those in need, so they don’t provide aid.
However, HHS disaster response expert Gregg Margolis says simple steps save lives, and special training isn’t needed for this – but a willingness to help is.
“It is very scary to be hurt and alone in a chaotic situation, and just having somebody there explaining what’s going on can be enormously helpful.”
Training in first aid is great if you have it. But taking even basic steps can help. These include applying direct pressure or a tourniquet to stop severe bleeding and placing unconscious people onto their sides to prevent blood or other secretions from blocking the airway.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov.
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.