Triage in Mass Casualty Incidents Quiz

Mass Casualty Incidents

• Primary characteristic is the overwhelming number of casualties that exceeds the immediate medical resources available.
• Example includes natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or major accidents resulting in multiple injuries.

Role of Responders and Volunteers

• First responders assess the scene, provide initial care, and evacuate critically injured victims.
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers assist in providing support, securing the area, and facilitating emergency management.

Management of Survivors

• First responders prioritize and manage survivors with minor injuries by triaging and ensuring they receive appropriate care as resources allow.
• Documenting triage results is crucial for tracking patient needs and ensuring an organized response.

Scene Size-Up and Setup

• Conducting a scene size-up helps assess hazards, number of victims, and resource needs; this helps in planning an effective response.
• Securing the area is essential to prevent further injury and maintain an organized response to the incident.

Triage Procedures

• Victims are sorted based on urgency: Immediate (I), Delayed (D), and Minor injuries.
• The Immediate category indicates patients who need urgent care to survive; these patients require immediate attention.
• The first step in triage is evaluating victims for responsiveness and vital signs.

Triage Actions and Considerations

• If a victim does not respond to a simple command, they may be labeled as Immediate due to potential life-threatening conditions.
• Avoiding pitfall during triage includes not getting overly focused on one victim at the expense of others in a chaotic environment.

Triage Techniques

• Voice triage engages victims by calling for them, helping assess their response level quickly.
• CPR is not performed in situations with overwhelming victims because resources need to be allocated to those with a higher chance of survival.

Bleeding Control and Shock Management

• The three main methods for controlling bleeding are direct pressure, elevation, and applying a tourniquet.
• The most common airway obstruction is typically a foreign object or swelling, requiring immediate attention.
• Victims in shock should not eat or drink since this can complicate medical management.

Key Concerns During Medical Operations

• Medical operations prioritize addressing 'killers'—conditions or injuries with the highest risk of death.
• Signs of shock include pale skin, rapid pulse, weakness, and confusion—indicators that CERT members must recognize urgently.

Test your knowledge about how CERT volunteers can support local resources in responding to mass casualty incidents, such as train derailments, multi-car accidents, building collapses, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks.