8 replies to this topic

[caliban]

Many immortalists have reasonable first aid knowledge.

Yet, a second bomb specifically to target first aiders has become a common terrorist tactic.

Should one move in?

[daouda]

It's hard not to, it's pretty much instinctive and the urge/duty to run and help obliterates the possible risk of second bomb in many ppl's mind when in such a situation (happened to me)

Edited by daouda, 15 April 2013 - 10:26 PM.

[Mind]

Luckily I have never been in a "bombing" situation, so I can't say for sure how I would act, however, my inclination would be to jump right in and start helping. I think a person can make a reasonable & rapid assessment of the situation, area, targets, etc. and determine the relative risk of responding quickly. Low risk=help as much as possible. Medium or high risk=be very cautious.

[okok]

Good point, but my main concern would be infection risk - chances are you won't carry a set of plastic gloves with you. How is this handled nowadays? Do they do blood tests afterwards?

[YOLF]

Those there in the immediate area aren't really equipped unless they are on standby. Perhaps putting a pair of binoculars in every EMT's jump bag (bag taken with an EMT when they leave an ambulance or render care where the ambulance can't go) would be a good idea. Thus their role in such a situation would be to assess the situation and convey it to 911 and those on call. This delay would prevent emergency responders from getting hurt by a second bomb. Enough extra gloves for anyone around who happens to have the extra training wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[Lister]

You can’t think about infections and bombings when people need help. If you’re there to help people part of helping people is risking yourself to a reasonable degree. Though if it’s a clear situation where bombing of medics has happened/is predicted to happen again is it worth risking further casualties?

Ultimately the solution is to immediately move as many of the less injured away from the scene to secure locations. The less people involved, the less enticing a target you are.

[YOLF]

PEOPLE NEED HELP, you just said it, and you're the one who can help them, but only if you're not dead. So you have to follow propper proceedures and not die before having a chance to help. You have to take these things into consideration and be prepared not only with the knowledge of how to help, but also the right mentality for making sure that you can do something to help.

[caliban]

Thanks for the answers so far.

A variation on the topic:
a bomb attack may be one of the situations where a victim is bleeding so profusely that an emergency tourniquet is warranted.
On the other hand, a bomb site is likely to be crawling with more qualified responders soon - but how soon?

Do you go for it or hold back as long as possible?


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Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc.

[YOLF]

You hold back until the area has been cleared and you have been given the go ahead. Bomb sniffing dog units are probably guided through the area first. I imagine they'd be the teams that give you clearance to move into certain areas. I'm sure I'll learn more about this when I start my EMT classes.