This is not an article we necessarily want to write, but it is important to know what to do if you get into trouble with an accident, big or small on Koh Phangan.
You’re away from home, there are going to be different protocols than what you may be used to, no National Health Service or equivalent and a different type of insurance or maybe even cost to yourself.
Phanganist visited Dr Pat at Bandon Hospital to get a doctor's opinion and advice on what you should do if you have an accident.
Most important are the first steps you take immediately after the incident;
‘You should wait for help but before this you can evaluate yourself and friends/relatives who are also involved. If there is something serious like bleeding or open wounds then you should deal with this first’.
What we would suggest is that if you are injured or not, let someone know that you’re safe, see if there is anyone around that can help.
Dr Pat suggests that if you or another are bleeding heavily then you can stop this by using your shirt or another piece of clothing to cover the area and stop the bleeding.
“If you find that you cannot move then you must stay still but if you are in the middle of the road then you will have to try to move to the side.
In worst case scenarios if your friend is unconscious then you can do CPR or try to shake them by the shoulders to stimulate them”.
Dr Pat says that If you are sure that heart their heart has stopped then this is when you do CPR or chest compressions, it is very important to evaluate how serious the accident and injuries are.
If the unfortunate does happen to you then usually there are people close by so that you can inform them although sometimes you will have to walk a little. On the way to Haad Rin they even have a poster with hospital details at the location where most accidents happen so you can call or find someone.
Dr Pat informs us that the ambulance can reach most locations at a maximum of 20 minutes however from Ban Tai to Haad Rin they can get there in 5 to 10 minutes so no one is ever waiting very long.
If you do end up with an injury that proceeds in you needing some kind of hospital treatment then be prepared to pay. So if you have travel insurance, contact them as soon as possible. At Bandon Hospital they have a western worker whose job it is to solely deal with tourists and their insurance so in fact in some cases this will be dealt with for you whilst you receive treatment
We hope this helps, hopefully just for you to read and be prepared and as a way to help others you may encounter.
Have fun and stay safe you lovely Phanganist’s!
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