Sunday 20 July 2014

Triage Kits Can Help Save Lives In A Disaster

By Eric Holm


Triage kits share most of the characteristics of ordinary first aid kits but they usually contain other types of emergency equipment that are useful in a situation that affects multiple victims simultaneously. Triage is a term used to describe the process of analyzing injured people and deciding the best course of action to treat as many as possible. This system comes into play anytime there are multiple victims but especially when an accident occurs in a remote location that is difficult for rescue personnel to reach. The rescue workers must determine which victims can be treated at the scene and which need to be transported to a medical facility.

A triage kit contains a number of items essential to any emergency rescue, trauma and/or medical situation. Safety vests and colored tape to designate the different levels of severity of injury are just scratching the surface of triage kits and the use. The levels of a triage unit are generally minor, delayed, immediate and morgue/deceased. Those defined as having minor injuries obviously don't need urgent help. Patients who are diagnosed as delayed can wait for transport to a hospital. Those diagnosed as immediate are taken to hospitals right away. For those morgue patients, body bags will be needed. Also included in a triage kit is a book on setting up your triage unit and how to perform common operations.

You will also want to obtain the tools necessary, and a few CPR books, for quick and efficient CPR as well as a portable stretcher or two or three for easy and quick evacuation of the most seriously injured patients.

Natural disasters and terrible accidents are situations no one ever wants to go through. When tragedy strikes, there is always a better chance for a positive outcome with the proper rescue equipment ready to go. Solar blankets and other first aid supplies can make a big difference if there is ever a disaster in your community and you are pressed into service.

Trained rescue workers will know all about the need to prioritize treatment in an emergency situation. Volunteers may be needed to lend a hand whenever there is a hurricane, flood, earthquake or some other natural disaster and knowing what to do can save lives.




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