Remote damage control during the attacks on Paris

Abstract

On November 13, 2015, in 40 minutes, Paris suffered four suicide bombers attacks; shootings at three different restaurant terraces; and an attack on the Bataclan concert hall, resulting in 130 dead and 495 wounded. How did the Parisian rescue system respond and how did it evolve since?We proved we could deploy quickly wide prehospital and hospital resources and teams' equipment and preparedness is being further developed. To secure a swifter initial response, we need a better integration of the operators of the rescue chain with a simpler and more robust organization as well as improved communications channels. We must continue to anticipate and prepare for possible future attacks.

War surgery in Afghanistan: a model for mass causalities in terror attacks?

“…It seems that standardized pathways can compensate the lack of medical education and are crucial in the treatment of high patient's inflow. According to Lesaffre et al, who analyzed the terror attacks in Paris 2015, a "…simpler and more robust organization…" is one of the most significant factors to deal with a mass casualty incident [9]. During the Paris Terror in 2015, 495 wounded and 130 dead victims were counted.…”

“…This was the case in 22% of the absolute emergencies in Paris 2015. This fact underlines the need of a profound training in life-saving skills of every doctor in charge [9]. In those cases, necessary diagnostic procedures should be kept simple and focused on life-threatening injuries to assure a quick life-saving treatment.…”

“…Nevertheless, the determined characteristics could be useful for polytraumatized patients. In these cases, fast treating algorithms and surgical manoeuvres are essential [9].…”

“…Besides fast surgery in mass casualties, patients' flow needs to be efficient, both in speed and direction. The in-hospital pathways must be clear for the personnel from the moment the patient enters the hospital to the final destination [9].…”

Military medical response of the French gendarmerie to terrorist events

“…This adaptation of military procedures was also developed by the military physicians of the Paris fire brigade. During the terrorist attacks of Paris in 2015, they put into practice the teachings of forward combat casualty care 3. Used daily in French overseas operations,4 it is annually updated.…”