How to help explosion victim: What to do and what to avoid

What's the problem?

Russia's full-scale war has forced many Ukrainians to learn what blast injuries are firsthand. Every air raid alarm carries the risk of an attack, and areas affected by fighting are often left riddled with landmines and unexploded shells. By the end of 2024, around 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land were potentially contaminated by mines and explosives.

That's why knowing basic first aid isn't just helpful — it's critical. Someone's life might depend on how fast and effectively you act.

What's the solution?

First aid can't replace professional medical care, but it's the first step in the chain of survival until professionals take over. However, as instructor Anna Dziuba points out, before rushing to help, you must first think about your safety.

You first need to ensure there's no threat of another explosion, fire, building collapse, or exposure to smoke. Access the risk of gas leaks, damaged electrical wires, and dangerous debris like broken glass or sharp objects that could harm you or the injured. And never approach any suspicious objects.

If you see an unfamiliar metal object or something that looks like a shell, don't touch it. Warn others to stay away, too. If the area seems dangerous, don't go any closer — wait for professionals to arrive. Remember, a good rescuer is a living rescuer.

And don't forget about legal responsibility, adds paramedic Yana Horokhova. Ukrainian law holds you accountable for leaving someone in a life-threatening situation without offering help.

"The least you can do is call an ambulance," says Yana Horokhova. "Other actions are voluntary unless you're a trained rescuer, police officer, or firefighter, in which case offering help is part of your duty. If you're unsure what to do, don't attempt risky actions. The number one rule of first aid is: Do no harm."

How to contact emergency services in Ukraine and what information to share

If emergency services haven't yet arrived, call:

• 101 – State Emergency Service,
• 103 – Ambulance,
• 112 – General emergency hotline.

According to Anna Dziuba, when speaking to the dispatcher, you should provide this information:

• Where did the explosion happen? Give an address or a landmark that rescuers can find quickly.
• What happened? Be specific: "There was an explosion in a residential building, and there are injured people."
• How many people are hurt? If you don't know the exact number, say "several" or "many."
• What kind of injuries are there? Describe what you see, starting with the most serious cases. Skip emotional phrases like "They look terrible" — instead, be direct: "Unconscious, not breathing, heavy bleeding." Try not to overestimate or downplay the severity of the injuries.
• Is there any danger of another explosion, fire, or a building collapse?

Yana Horokhova adds that you should also mention the injured person's age, sex, whether they're conscious, whether there's any bleeding, and any other visible symptoms. This helps emergency services send the right team to help.

"The most important rule — never hang up first," Dziuba emphasizes. "The dispatcher might have more questions or give you vital instructions."

How does it work?

What steps to follow after an explosion?

Experts stress that first aid for blast injuries follows the same basic principles as treating any other wounds or injuries.

Step 1

Start with a primary survey to understand the injured person's condition — look for critical bleeding, check if they're conscious, and observe their breathing.

According to Yana Horokhova, you don't need to get too close right away to assess someone. Safety first! You can establish contact from 4–5 meters away by saying, "Sir/Madam/Friend/Boy/Girl, can you hear me? Do you need help?" This helps determine whether the person can hear and respond to your voice and questions.

Step 2

If you spot severe bleeding, focus on stopping it first. Then, check for breathing and other signs. This is crucial because blood loss can cause death faster than anything else.

Anna Dziuba says you can recognize critical bleeding by these signs:

• Blood spurting out under pressure,
• A growing pool of blood beneath the injured person,
• Clothes soaked heavily in blood,
• A traumatic amputation of a limb.

To stop the bleeding, press firmly on the wound. If the bleeding is from a limb, apply a tourniquet. For wounds on the neck, groin, or underarms, pack the wound with gauze or cloth. If you don't have a tourniquet or bandages, apply direct pressure. Always wear gloves to protect yourself.

"People often ask me during training where to get gloves. But nowadays, everyone [in Ukraine] should carry gloves and a tourniquet," says Yana. "Soldiers and medics often carry gloves in a small yellow container from a Kinder Surprise — it's compact and seals well. You should always have tourniquets — at least one for yourself and another to help someone else."

Can you use improvised materials instead of a tourniquet?

According to the paramedic, belts or branches won't work. In such cases, apply direct pressure until medical professionals arrive, but always protect yourself from direct contact with blood.

Step 3

Once you've stopped the critical bleeding, check if the person is breathing — especially if they're unconscious.

• Call out to the injured person. Anna Dziuba advises if there's no response, clear their airway and check for breathing using the "look-listen-feel" method: look for chest movement, listen for breathing sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek near their mouth or nose.

"Count their breaths for 10 seconds," says Yana Horokhova. "If they breathe two times or more in that period, they are breathing. But breathing can stop at any moment, so keep monitoring them."

• If they aren't breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
• If they're breathing but unconscious, roll them onto their side to keep their airway clear.

Horokhova also suggests testing the awareness of a conscious person by asking simple questions: "What's your name? What day is it? What happened to you?" This will help you gauge whether the person is alert, knows where they are, remembers where they live, their age, or their parents' names.

Important!

"Don't move the injured person after an explosion unless absolutely necessary (there's a threat to your lives)," warns Anna Dziuba. "There's a high risk of spinal injuries, and moving them could cause further harm. However, if the area is dangerous — due to fire or ongoing attacks — carefully drag the person to a safer location."

Step 4

If possible, stay with the injured person until the ambulance arrives. It's important to pass on information about their condition and the aid you've provided so far. This will help medical professionals act quickly and effectively. Keep the person calm and warm.

What to avoid?

Anna Dziuba stresses critical mistakes to avoid:

• DON'T rush to the explosion site if the area is still unsafe.
• DON'T move debris unless absolutely necessary — it could cause a collapse.
• DON'T remove objects stuck in wounds — it can worsen bleeding.
• DON'T give medication unless it belongs to the injured person and they ask for it. In that case, they should take it themselves.
• DON'T risk your safety — if the situation becomes dangerous, leave immediately, taking the injured with you if possible.

"And remember," Anna Dziuba concludes, "you can't truly master first aid by theory alone — you need practice. Regular training and certified courses will help you act quickly and confidently in a real emergency."