Chapter 2

1. Chapter 2 Action at an Emergency

2. Lesson Objectives (1 of 2) • Identify steps for surveying the scene. • Discuss the importance of determining the mechanism of injury. • Describe how to access victims in the following situations: water rescue, ice rescue, self rescue, electrical emergency rescue • Explain what to do when responding to a motor vehicle crash or wildland fire. • Describe how to approach a situation involving animals.

3. Lesson Objectives (2 of 2) • Explain the procedure for helping a person trapped in a confined space. • Identify procedures for moving injured victims. • Identify procedures for extricating an injured person from a difficult location. • Explain how to seek help during an emergency. • List the guidelines for evacuation.

4. Approaching a Victim • Conduct a 10-second scene survey. • Try to determine the cause of any injuries. • Mechanism of injury can help to determine extent or suspect hidden injuries.

5. Mechanisms of Injury (1 of 2) • Mechanism of injury will help you understand injury and its severity. • Most injuries involve impact between a moving object and another moving object or a stationary object.

6. Mechanisms of Injury (2 of 2) • Consider questions such as: • What was the distance of the fall? • What direction and on what body part did the forces act? • Are internal injuries likely? • Is a spinal injury likely?

7. Getting to Victims • Never attempt a rescue unless it can be accomplished without endangering the rescuers.

8. Water Rescue

9. Ice Rescue • For victims near shore, extend a pole or throw a line with a floating object attached. • For victims far from shore, lie flat and push a ladder, plank, or tree limb out to victim. • Victims should attempt to get upper body onto the surface of the ice and lie flat.

10. Electrical Emergency Rescue (1 of 2) • Mild electrical shocks can cause serious injury or death. • Low voltage (inside buildings): Turn off power. • High voltage (power lines): If you feel a tingling sensation, • STOP • Turn around, raise one foot, and hop to safety. • Wait for trained personnel.

11. Electrical Emergency Rescue (2 of 2) • Power line over a vehicle: • Driver and all passengers should remain inside the vehicle. • Instruct passengers to fold their arms and not to touch the inside of the vehicle.

12. Motor Vehicle Crashes (1 of 2) • Legal obligation in most states to stop and help if you are personally involved in a motor vehicle crash • No legal obligation to stop and offer assistance when you come upon a crash after it happens. • Morally, you should stop and offer assistance, if needed.

13. Motor Vehicle Crashes (2 of 2) • What to do • Stop your car in a safe place and turn on hazard lights. • Enter the vehicle through a door, if possible. • If doors are jammed, ask someone inside to roll down a window. • Stabilize the head and neck of unresponsive victims and those who might have spinal injury. • Look and feel for injuries. • Treat life-threatening injuries.

14. Wildland Fires (1 of 2) • Fire requires heat, oxygen, and fuel. • Be aware of hazards. • Safety depends on LCES principles: • Lookouts • Communication • Escape routes • Safety zones • Watch for changes. • Plan your escape and safety zones.

15. Wildland Fires (2 of 2) • What to do • Get everyone out and call for help. • Use a fire extinguisher only if the fire is small and the escape route is clear. • Throw water on burn victims. • Remove burning clothing from victims if possible to do so safely.

16. Animals (1 of 3) • Approach all animals with caution. • Large animals might not retreat from humans. • Small animals can be unpredictable. • Be aware of potentially dangerous animals in the area. © AbleStock

17. Animals (2 of 3) • When threatened by an animal: • Do not stare at the animal. • Back away slowly. • Speak quietly.

18. Animals (3 of 3) • When an animal attacks: • Use food to lure animal away from victim. • If animal backs off, move victim away. • In general, fight back. • In bear country, make noise as you travel and be cautious of mother bears with cubs.

19. Confined Spaces • Call for help. Activate EMS. • Do not become a victim yourself. • Try to rescue victim without entering the space. • Administer CPR or first aid, if necessary.

20. Moving a Victim (1 of 3) • Move unstable victims only if: • There is immediate danger. • It is impossible to gain access to other victims. • The victim's heart has stopped.

21. Moving a Victim (2 of 3) • Emergency moves • Protect the spine. • Use a shoulder drag to move a victim a short distance over rough terrain.

22. Moving a Victim (3 of 3) • Nonemergency moves • One-person moves • Two-or-more-person moves • Stretcher or litter

23. Extrication From Difficult Locations • Should not be attempted by one person or by groups who do not know what they are doing. • Four to six experienced rescuers are needed to move victim safely. • Lay victim flat on back; support head and neck, shoulders, and hips. • Move the victim in stages.

24. Seeking Help (1 of 2) • Know how to contact local rescue group, sheriff, or police. • When faced with an emergency, STOP: • Stop and calm yourself. Do not panic. • Think about the problem and proper course of action. • Observe the situation. • Plan course of action and coordinate with other rescuers.

25. Seeking Help (2 of 2) • Give EMS appropriate information: • Victim’s location • Your name, victim’s name, family contacts • Nature of emergency • Number of victims • Victim’s condition • Conditions that may affect rescue efforts • Information about where you can be contacted

26. Guidelines for Evacuation • The victim’s health or survival may depend on your ability to move him or her from the scene. • Know the conditions that necessitate evacuation.