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What are the most common injuries you can sustain in such a storm? How can you prevent them and how can you help others who have been hurt?
“Obviously, exposure to the elements is a major problem”, says Cape Town GP Dr Bridget Farham. “Injuries from flying debris, such as shattered window glass or roof tiles or litter are also common.”
“The most important thing is to get indoors and stay out of the line of fire as far as is possible”, says Dr Farham. “Flying rooftiles and tree branches and shattering glass can cause some nasty injuries."
Get under cover. Exposure to the elements is a major problem, as injuries from flying debris, such as shattered window glass or roof tiles or litter can easily be sustained.”
Don't branch out. Stay away as far as possible from trees. Not only can they be struck by lightning, they can also fall over and kill people.
Cancel outdoor activities. This is simply not the time for your mountain hike or walk along the Promenade. Rather wait a day or two before venturing out again, as everything also gets slippery in the rain.
Don't be shattered. Wind and seawater can blow out large glass windows. Stay out of rooms with large windows, especially if they are facing the prevailing wind. Close windows and draw curtains.
Drive carefully. Don't make unnecessary trips. The danger still lurks even after the storm is over, as the roads are often filled with debris from broken-off branches and blocked drains. If the storm has hit a large area, emergency services are also not going to clean up everywhere immediately. Don't drive into puddles of water as you don't know how deep they could be. A section of the road may heva collapsed underneath them. Drive slowly and watch out for other drivers who might be nervous behind the wheel. Or not nervous enough.
Don't be cut up. Flying rooftiles and tree branches and shattering glass can cause some nasty injuries. It is important to stop the bleeding as soon as possible and get medical attention. Applying pressure to the area in the immediate vicinity of the wound will stop the bleeding.
Pinned down? If someone has been pinned down by rubble or trapped in a car by a falling tree, one has to be very careful, as they could have spinal injuries. If the person has to be removed, because there is fire danger, care must be taken not to cause further spinal injury. As many people as possible should assist in removing the injured person, with one person holding the head as steady as possible. It is also possible that the object causing the injury, such as a tree or a steering wheel, could also be the object stopping excessive bleeding as it puts pressure on the arteries. If someone bleeds excessively after the object that fell on him is removed, pressure must be applied to the wound to counteract the loss of blood.
Batten down the hatches. When a storm hits, it is important to stay indoors, make sure pets and children are safe, close windows and draw curtains, in case glass shatters, put all loose garden furniture away and have candles and a gas cylinder handy in case of power cuts. And park your car far away from the nearest tree.
Water, water everywhere. Moving water, especially seawater or rivers in spate not only pose a drowning risk, the water itself moves with the kind of force that cause injuries usually only seen in motor vehicle accidents. Don't try and be brave, or go sightseeing. Moving water is dangerous - even for the best swimmers on earth. Never forget that.
(Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated May 2009)
