On-Site Management and Treatment of Motor Car Racing Casualties

Abstract

In 1964, the medical team at motor car races consisted of 2 physicians, including the author, several first aid workers, and 2 nurses. Only one physician stood at the trackside and sophisticated equipment was non-existant. Nevertheless, it was possible to resuscitate drivers who had suffered a cardiac arrest at the moment of impact, by simple cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In 1965, the Grand Prix mobile hospital was added. This was a Juggernaut container lorry containing a well-equipped operating room and scrub up area. It was found to be of little use in the UK, although the idea behind it was well intentioned. The problem with the unit was one of mobility. It was certainly true that the hospital could be taken from London to Paris, but it was far too big to be driven from the car park to the injured driver at the side of the track. In 1968, theBritish Racing and Sports Car Club (BRSCC) introduced the first rescue unit. This short wheel base vehicle was presented to the club by Ford as a service to motor sport. It contained all necessary fire-fighting, cutting and medical equipment. It was to reach the scene of any accident within 3 minutes. In that way a driver whose heart had stopped at the moment of impact could be resuscitated before his brain suffered irreparable damage. Apart from firemen, the rescue unit carried a physician, usually an anaesthetist skilled in resuscitation. As a result, the standard of care around the circuit became standardized after the first few minutes.