Rescuing and Moving Victims

1
Chapter 25

• Rescuing and Moving Victims

2
Water Rescue

• Reach-throw-row-go
• Reach for victim.
• Throw anything that floats.
• Row by using canoe or other boat.
• Go by swimming (must be trained).
• Entering water is a last resort.

3
Near-Drowning

• Occurs when a victim survives an immersion
  incident
• Drowning
• Suffocation by immersion in water or other
  liquid.
• Dry drownings
• Wet drownings
• Secondary drowning

4
Care for Drowning

• Survey the scene.
• If the victim was diving, suspect a possible
  spinal injury.
• Check for breathing and treat accordingly.
• If no spinal injury is suspected, place victim on
  his or her side.

5
Cold-Water Immersion

• Cold water is water less than 70F.
• A person can become hypothermic in water that is
  77F.
• Heat escape lessening position (HELP)

6
Ice Rescue

• Extend a pole or throw a line to victim with
  floatable object.
• Pull victim toward shore or edge of ice.

7
Electrical Emergency Rescue

• Indoor electrocutions
• Faulty electrical equipment or careless use of
  electrical appliances
• Turn off power at circuit breaker, fuse box, or
  outside switch box before touching the victim.
• High-voltage power lines
• Power must be turned off.
• Wait for trained personnel with proper equipment.

8
Hazardous Materials Incidents

• Signs of hazardous materials
• Signs on vehicle
• Spilled liquids or solids
• Strong, unusual odors
• Clouds of vapor
• Stay away and upwind.
• Wait for trained personnel to arrive.

9
Motor Vehicle Crashes

• Park in a safe area and call 9-1-1.
• Turn on emergency hazard flashers.
• Make sure scene is safe.
• If you suspect spinal injuries, stabilize head
  and neck.
• Check and care for life-threatening injuries.
• Whenever possible, wait for EMS personnel to
  remove victims.
• Allow EMS ambulance to transport victims.

10
Fires

• Get all people out of the area quickly.
• Call 9-1-1.
• Use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small.

11
Threatening Dogs

• Look for signs of a dog and proceed with caution.
• Ask owner to control a threatening dog.
• Call police for assistance with a vicious dog.

12
Farm Animals

• Approach a situation involving animals with
  caution.
• Do not frighten an animal.
• Speak quietly to reassure it.
• If food is available, use it to lure animal away
  from victim.

13
Confined Space (1 of 2)

• Any area not intended for human occupancy
• Dangerous atmosphere (low oxygen levels)
• Requires special training and equipment to
  perform rescue

14
Confined Space (2 of 2)

• For confined space emergencies
• Call 9-1-1.
• Check motionless victims first. Only enter if you
  have proper training and equipment.
• Once victim is removed, provide care.

15
Triage

• Classify into care and transportation priorities
• Triage categories
• Immediate care
• Delayed care
• Walking wounded
• Dead

16
Moving Victims

• Only move victim if there is immediate danger
• Fire
• Hazardous materials
• Impossible to protect from hazards
• Impossible to access other victims who need
  lifesaving care
• Protect victims spine.
• Drag in direction of the long axis of the body

17
Emergency Moves (1 of 3)

• Drags
• Shoulder drag
• Ankle drag
• Blanket pull

18
Emergency Moves (2 of 3)

• One-person moves
• Human crutch
• Cradle carry
• Fire fighters carry
• Pack-strap carry
• Piggyback carry

19
Emergency Moves (3 of 3)

• Two-person or three-person moves
• Two-person assist
• Two-handed seat carry
• Four-handed seat carry
• Extremity carry
• Chair carry
• Hammock carry

20
Nonemergency Moves

• All injured parts should be stabilized before and
  during moving.
• Safest way to carry an injured victim is on some
  type of stretcher or litter.