General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums1. Stop the bleeding. 2. Restore breathing. 3. Treat for shock.
As part of our Navy workups in prep for deployment, we would sail our sorry asses down to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba..
For a few weeks, we "exercised" the ship's Damage Control and survivability. We drilled on Main Space Fire response, CBR Attack response and Flooding Control.
We also conducted Mass Casualty Drills.
Multiple people would be outfitted with realistic fake wounds. I'm talking fractures with bones sticking out, amputations with fake blood spurting everywhere, sucking chests wounds, bloody intestines hanging out of stomachs and every manor of burns. It was really good, and effective. Some of these were Hollywood level examples of terrible wounds.
Sailors assigned to act as injured would scream, flail about, spurt fake blood, all while fake smoke swirled around and alarms went off all over the ship. It was chaos.
Coming upon an injured Shipmate, everyone from Captain to Stew-Burner was expected to administer emergency care from tourniquets, to damp packing intestines, to plastic wrapping sucking chest wounds. It was drilled into us that it was a 3 step process, in order of importance to saving life, or limb:
1. Stop the bleeding
2. Restore breathing
3. Treat for shock
My niece was just telling me that they recently conducted a similar drill.
My training was in the event the Russians or another enemy hit my ship with a missile or a bomb, or if we suffered some tragic accident.
My niece is a Public School TEACHER!!!!
LetMyPeopleVote
(153,609 posts)twodogsbarking
(12,092 posts)On the brighter side..............well I got nothin.
sarisataka
(20,715 posts)Though the order is wrong. Breathing comes before bleeding.
It is also taught ABC for airway, breathing, circulation.
maxrandb
(15,799 posts)In cases of massive blood loss, like with gunshots, circulation becomes more important.
https://www.facs.org/media-center/press-releases/2023/prioritizing-circulation-before-the-airway-in-trauma-may-improve-outcomes-for-patients-with-massive-bleeding/
sarisataka
(20,715 posts)or other medical setting, since intubation is not commonly available to a layman.
But I would agree that if there is massive blood loss, such as arterial bleeding, it should not be ignored. Get a tourniquet in place or hopefully to have more than one person rendering aid so packing and pressure can be applied.
There is a reason those are the top three as the lack of any control in any one category will lead to death.
WhiskeyGrinder
(23,618 posts)Augiedog
(2,594 posts)Just to be clear that was a very long time ago. In the interim I have had training in a lot of things while I was in the military and various other positions that a person of my age might have.
Your responsibility in rescue operations is first to yourself. Do not endanger yourself, you are no good to a victim if you become one yourself.
Analyze the situation. Can you or the victim be further endangered by staying where you are, can the victim be moved to safety if necessary. Be aware that victims can become combative unintentionally. Fear does that.
What are the injuries you are dealing with
that dictates your next move. Minor bleeding can wait resolution if breathing has stopped. Major bleeding may have to be dealt with before breathing can be addressed. You can restart breathing, you cannot replace blood loss.
Check with your local Red Cross for real info on how to manage major and minor crisis. They have a wealth of experience.
Remember to directly assign someone to call 911 if you are not able to. Look at that person ask them their name and then directly tell them to call 911. You may have to yell at them, people freeze up in dire situations, especially fluid ones.
Lastly, but maybe most importantly, try not to freak out yourself, you can panic and let your adrenaline run wild later, as it surely will.
I am not an expert in any of this, but I have been in extreme circumstances and can tell you that if you have correct information and some minimal training you can make a difference in the outcome of an otherwise horrible incident.
I welcome any and all corrections to my thoughts on this.
maxrandb
(15,799 posts)Had an E3 who pointed, made eye contact and screamed at a Commander; "you!! Call 333! (our shipboard equivalent to 911).
Commander turned-two and made the call, no questions asked.
So much more effective than "somebody call 911'.
How sad ,that this country has become a disaster area.
Hermit-The-Prog
(36,291 posts)EarnestPutz
(2,540 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,725 posts)Stop the bleeding. Check.
Restore breathing. Good idea.
Treat for shock. Huh? I don't think the Army had any training for us on that one.
They sound like great first aid steps, after a shooting, bomb, car accident, fall, many types of trauma.
Initech
(101,482 posts)It's way past time to ban the fucking guns and tell Alex Jones and the NRA where they can shove their "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!!!" bullshit! This is insane that 25 years after Columbine, nothing has been done. The only solution the fuckheads have is "arm the teachers!!!". Stop it already. We can't keep living like this!
TheBlackAdder
(28,799 posts)
The fastest acting hemostatic gauze, that stops severe arterial bleeding with only 60 seconds compression.
Works with just 60 seconds compression8
Stops severe bleeding fast
Rapid action reduces blood loss9
Stops hypothermic bleeding4 as found in severe traumatic injuries.
Time is critical when treating severe injuries in the field and saving time increases the chance of survival for the casualty in an emergency or hostile situation. To be effective in real use, haemostatic dressings need to work fast.
https://www.celoxmedical.com/cx-product/celox-rapid/
If you are on any kind of blood thinner or go hiking in the wilderness, this gauze will help prevent a bleed-out while waiting for medical services to arrive.
Prairie_Seagull
(3,671 posts)have their own kids in private school?