Citation

Brodsky H, Hakkert AS. J. Traffic Med. 1984; 12(2): 19-22.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Israel has a nationwide public emergency ambulance system called Magen David Adom (MDA). Custom and law in Israel tend to encourage the passing motorist to rescue the injured in a road accident. In injury accidents requiring hospitalization, the passer by calls the MDA to the rescue in only a fraction of the cases. This study examined accessibility to MDA as a possible explanatory variable for the frequency of MDA calls. Since no public guidelines exist concerning the advisability of transporting the injured by ambulance as opposed to private vehicle, a survey was made to determine the extent of knowledge of first aid and basic life support.

RESULTS neither confirmed nor denied that accessibility to MDA is a factor in the decision to call an ambulance.

RESULTS of the survey, however, showed that the majority (over 50%) lacked a knowledge of basic life support. It was concluded that greater use of MDA should be encouraged and first aid training should be initiated in the public school system and should be required of all new drivers.

Language: en

Keywords

Data collection; Drivers; Accessibility; Decision making; School children; Safety education; Surveys; Disasters and emergency operations; Israel; Hazards and emergency operations; First aid; Ambulances; Knowledge; Private transportation