Disaster Medical Operations

Operations of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Introduction

For more information about CERT and what they do, visit the CERT website at: http://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

In a disaster, there are more victims than rescuers and immediate help is not always available. CERTs are integral to

reducing the number of lives lost.

The number of lives lost in disaster can be reduced up to 40% by providing simple medical care

CERT personnel are trained to provide: Treatment for life-

threatening conditions◦ Airway obstruction◦ Bleeding◦ Shock◦ Other less urgent conditions

The greatest good for the greatest number of victims◦ Simple triage

Treating Life-Threatening Conditions: Opening the AirwayThe most common airway obstruction in the tongue.Head-Tilt Method for Opening an Airway:1. At an arm’s distance,

shake the victim by touching the shoulder and shout, “Can you hear me?”

2. If the victim does not or cannot respond, place the palm of one hand on the forehead.

3. Place two fingers of the other hand under the chin and tilt the jaw upward while tilting the head back slightly.

Opening the Airway continued

3. Place your ear over the victim’s mouth, looking toward the victim’s feet, and place a hand on the victim’s abdomen

4. Look for chest rise 5. Listen for air

exchange6. Feel for abdominal

movement

Opening the Airway Tutorial

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTHe8qKoMqo

Uncontrolled bleeding can be very serious. Initial symptom is weakness Within a short period of time, a person can

go into shock An adult has approximately 5 liters of blood,

loss of 1 liter can result in death.

Treating Life-Threatening Conditions: Controlling Bleeding

There are three types of bleeding, each type can be identified based on how fast the blood flows. Arterial Bleeding: Arteries transport blood

under high pressure. Arterial bleeds are characterized by spurting blood.

Venous Bleeding: Veins transport blood under low pressure. Bleeding from a vein can be characterized as flowing.

Capillary Bleeding: Capillaries carry blood under low pressure. A capillary bleed oozes.

Controlling Bleeding continued

Method Procedure

Direct Pressure • Place direct pressure over the wound by putting a clean dressing over the wound and pressing firmly

• Maintain pressure on the dressing over the wound by wrapping the wound firmly with a pressure bandage

Elevation • Elevate the wound above the level of the heart

Pressure Points • Put pressure on the nearest pressure point to slow the flow of blood to the wound.

• Use:• Brachial point, bleeding in the

arm• Femoral Point, bleeding in the leg(Images on next slide)

Controlling Bleeding continued

Controlling Bleeding: Pressure Points

Brachial Pressure Point Femoral Pressure Point

Treating Life-Threatening Conditions: Recognizing ShockShock results from the circulation of blood being ineffective. Untreated shock will lead to the death of: Cells Tissues Entire OrgansSigns of shock are initially compensated for by the body. It is important to continually watch for signs of shock.

Main signs of shock to look for: Rapid and shallow

breathing Capillary refill

(underneath fingernails) is greater than 2 seconds

Failure to follow simple commands, i.e. “Squeeze my hand”.

Changes in skin color

Step Action

1 • Lay the victim on his or her back

• Elevate the feet 6-10 inches above the level of the feet

• Maintain an open airway

2 • Control obvious bleeding

3 • Maintain body temperature (e.g., cover the ground and the victim with a blanket if necessary)

4 • Avoid rough or excessive handling

• Avoid moving victim unless victim and/or rescuer are in immediate danger

Treating Life-Threatening Conditions: Treating Shock

To find a CERT near you and to get more information about getting certified visit: http://www.citizencorps.gov/cc/CertIndex.do?submitByState=

For access to the online CERT Introductory course, visit:http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/IS317/

CERT Certification