Douglas M. Hexel, Paramedic, CIC: No financial relationships to disclose
Technical rescue incidents present a unique set of challenges to medical providers. Whether assessing and treating suspension injuries at a rope rescue or crush injuries at a structural collapse, special knowledge and skills are required from the provider. Modern medicine now requires medical treatment to begin during the rescue phase, rather than waiting for the victim to be rescued. This presentation focuses on kinematics of trauma, rescue techniques, treatment priorities, and special considerations to result in the best possible patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
describe injuries sustained in falls arrest by belay lines, choose the appropriate extraction technique based on injuries, and construct a treatment plan.
predict injuries associated with prolonged suspension, formulate a treatment plan based on known and expect injuries, and compare extraction methods for the best patient outcome.
assess and anticipate crush injuries using basic physics, synthesize a treatment and rescue plan, and justify the use of additional resources for prolonged medical/rescue operations.
