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Abstract

On 7 December 1988, a severe earthquake hit in Armenia, a former republic of the Soviet Union (USSR); on 11 September 2001, a manmade attack of similar impact hit New York City. These events share similar implications for the role of the uninjured survivor. With basic training, the uninjured survivors could save lives without tools or resuscitation equipment. This article makes the case for teaching life-supporting first aid to the public in the hope that one day, should another such incident occur, they would be able to preserve injured victims until formal rescue occurs.

Engaging Active Bystanders in Mass Casualty Events and Other Life-Threatening Emergencies: A Pilot Training Course Demonstration

“…6 According to European Resuscitation Council and First Aid guidelines, trained bystanders can reduce mortality and reduce morbidity until professional help arrives in cases of injury, sudden illness, or other life-threatening emergency. 7,8 Two reports on the September 11, 2001, New York attack 9 and July 7, 2005, London bombings 10 suggest that first aid provided by bystanders might have saved lives. During the Madrid 2004 bombings, approximately 67% of the injured arrived at hospitals in nonambulance vehicles, 11 potentially limiting or reducing injury, its long-term effects, and even death 12,13 that may have occurred while waiting for ambulances.…”

Preparedness required for ensuring best coordinated use of international urban search and rescue assistance by earthquake affected countries

“…This has been considered in some detail in Chapter 2. While much has been reviewed in relation to practical operational issues such as medical management (Shimazu et al, 1997;Crippen, 2001;Sever et al, 2002;Ashkenazi et al, 2005) and the fact that rescue efforts should be in place as early as possible (de Bruycker, Greco, Lechat et al, 1985;Tanaka, 1996), no significant literature has been found on the more specific issue of use of USAR resources by affected countries who have little or no understanding of them.…”