Dealing with Casualties

1. Dealing with Casualties Casualty Care

2. Aim To make students aware of the various types of victims at incidents and the appropriate casualty care.

3. Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session students will be able to: • State the various categories of victim • State the appropriate care for victims • List the risks and hazards associated with casualty care.

4. Casualty care • In the course of their duties firefighters may have to deal with the victims of an incident • It is therefore important that you are able to recognise the signs and symptoms associated with victim distress and deal with the situation without the distressed person(s) affecting the management of the incident.

5. Involvement of victims Victims occur as a result of being directly or indirectly involved • Directly involved victims could be the occupiers of a house fire or passengers involved in a road traffic accident • Firefighters could also be direct victims if affected by the disturbing aspects of an incident.

6. Involvement of victims Indirectly involved victims could be witnesses or bystanders, or a friend or relative who arrives after being told of the incident.

7. Categories of victims There are two categories of victim; • Distressed persons • Deceased persons At the majority of incidents there are likely to be both direct and indirect victims At incidents where there are fatalities there are usually other distressed persons.

8. Vulnerability Guilt Blame Bereavement Distressed persons Distress in people is usually caused by shock and anxiety brought about through many different reasons at an incident; • Injury • Financial loss • Sentimental loss.

9. Personal reactions Different people react to stressful situations in various ways;

10. Personal reactions Physical symptoms; • Severe headache or dizziness • Blurred vision • Trouble in swallowing • Asthma • Excessive sweating • Skin rashes.

11. Personal reactions Psychological or behavioural symptoms; • Depression • Anxiety • Outburst of temper or irritability • Inability to relax • Feelings of guilt • Uncontrollable outburst of emotion.

12. Managing distressed people One of the fire officers main objectives is to reduce stress to the persons affected • Be sympathetic but constructive • Avoid inappropriate language • Maintain the dignity and modesty of victims • Take the victims to a more friendly environment away from the incident scene.

13. Sources of help It is unlikely that firefighters will be able to remain with the victim(s) and the help of others will be needed

14. Relatives and friends Neighbours Police officers Ambulance personnel Local general practitioner. Sources of help Short term;

15. Sources of help Longer term; • Department of Social Security • Council Housing • Red Cross Fire Victim Support • Citizens Advice Bureau.

16. Hearing, speech or visual impairment Cerebral palsy Irrational behaviour Special needs Firefighters will from time to time come across distressed people who cannot easily communicate their feelings or condition, e.g.; Such people may react unpredictably and sometimes violently, where there is any doubt about an individuals personal safety the police should be requested.

17. Deceased persons Firefighters may discover the bodies of victims, burnt and often part buried in debris, that are difficult to recognise Action to be taken If there is any possibility that the victim is still alive; • Request an ambulance, if not in attendance • Provide first aid until ambulance arrives.

18. Deceased persons If the victim is obviously dead the Police must be informed Action to be taken • Leave the body and surrounding debris undisturbed unless; • It is hindering firefighting operations • Or may be destroyed or further damaged by fire.

19. Deceased persons Important If the body has to be removed details of where and how the victim was lying must be recorded Information about the circumstances in which the body was discovered will be required for a coroners inquest Any damage caused to the body while moving must be recorded immediately and the police informed

20. Prior to certification of death After certification of death Ambulance Service Police. Deceased persons Responsibility for removing victims;

21. Deceased persons • Bodies must be moved with dignity and respect • Minimise further distress to family and friends • Use an appropriate method, e.g. body bag • Consider sheeting off the area • Clear the area of bystanders.

22. Animals Firefighters may also have to deal with dead or traumatised animals and must bear in mind the fondness most owners have for their pets.

23. Animals • Further distress to the owner or injured animal should be minimised by careful handling • Bodies should be removed and placed in a garden, yard or other convenient place • Cover with a sheet before handing over care to the owner, occupant or a neighbour • If an animal is injured, agreement of the owner should be obtained wherever possible before requesting a vet to attend.

24. ConfirmationAssessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note Learning Outcomes • State the various categories of victim • State the appropriate care for victims • List the risks and hazards associated with casualty care.

25. THE END