Incidents, accidents and emergencies
An injured casualty is thirsty and asks you for water while you wait for the ambulance. Why should you not give them a drink?
- Because water always makes bleeding worse
- Because they might need an operation, so an empty stomach is saferCorrect
- Because it would waste your drinking water
- Because thirst is a good sign that they are recovering
Why?
Annex 7 of The Highway Code says not to give an injured casualty anything to eat or drink. They may need surgery under anaesthetic soon after reaching hospital, and an empty stomach makes that safer. Keep them calm and reassured instead.
Highway Code rule Annex 7