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Multiple Victims and Disasters
A first aid provider may face situations
with more than one victim. These situations may range from
auto crashes to catastrophic natural disasters or terrorist
attacks. When there are many injured victims, the first aid
provider must try to prioritize them by how urgently they
need care. This is called triage - a French word meaning “to
sort.'' The goal of triage is to do the greatest good for
the greatest number. To accomplish this goal, the first aid
provider must not begin to provide care at random. To begin
triage, first call out, '' If you can walk come to the sound
of my voice.” If there are victims who can walk, instruct
them to remain at a safe location. Victims who are not seriously
ill or injured may also be able to help provide first aid.
Now, move from victim to victim, quickly assessing their condition
and sorting them into three basic groups:
1. Immediate:
The victim has life-threatening injuries. Rapid, life saving
is urgent (example: profuse bleeding).
2. Delayed: The victim does
not have life-threatening injuries. Treatment may be delayed
(example: responsive victim with broken leg).
3. Dead: No signs of life
or obviously dead.
To perform simple triage on victims
of all ages:
Step 1 Assess Victim-Assess
for responsiveness
If the victim is awake and responsive
and not profusely bleeding, consider them “Delayed”
Move on to the next victim.
lf the victim is unresponsive, gently tap or squeeze their
shoulder and say “Are you okay” If the victim
does not respond;
Step 2 A=Airway. Open airway
Tilt head and lift chin
Step 3
B=Breathing Check for breathing
Look listen and feel for breathing
If victim takes a breath, place them on their side in the
recovery position. If injured, use the HAINES Recovery Position.
Move on to assess Circulation.
lf victim does not take a breath, reposition the head to make
sure the airway is open.
If victim still does not take a breath consider them ''Dead.”
Move on to the next victim.
Note: The time devoted to rescue breathing
and chest compressions is not justified when there are multiple
victims needing first aid.
Step 4 C=Circulation. Assess
Circulation
Check for profuse bleeding. If present
take immediate action to stop it. If another first aid provider
is available, ask them to maintain direct pressure on the
wound-consider them as immediate.
Move onto the next victim. Begin
with step 1.
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