The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook by Scott Finazzo

Author:Scott Finazzo [Finazzo, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612434605
Publisher: Ulysses Press

S.T.A.R.T. METHOD

Several methods are used to prioritize victims. Many professional emergency responders manage multiple casualty incidents using START triage: simple treatment and rapid transport. The START method utilizes color codes to quickly sort victims based on how they present to the rescuer. The color codes are:

Green: Minor Injuries

The walking wounded that self-evacuate are typically “green” patients. They will require little from you and can often treat themselves. Often, they will flee the scene altogether. With those that haven’t fled, you can “voice triage.” Call out to them and find to find out their status and the status of others. Verbally direct them. You may attempt to keep them around to assist you if their injuries allow. If not, do not encourage them to wander aimlessly around the scene. Relocate them to an area of refuge, protected from the weather, where they can receive treatment and recover.

Examples of “green” injuries are minor lacerations, sprains, bruises, and superficial burns.

Yellow: Delayed Treatment

If patients are triaged “yellow” or “delayed,” it does not mean they are not injured. It means that, based on what you have observed, they are not at a high risk for early death and you can continue to assess other patients.

Examples of “yellow” injuries are fractures, moderate burns (that do not include the face, neck, or groin), and lacerations that have not cut into an artery.

Red: Immediate Treatment

The primary goal of sorting and prioritizing patients is to locate and help the “red” patients. Those are the people with potentially life-threatening injuries. One of the most difficult parts of the triage process is identifying the injured and moving on to the next. If you encounter a red victim and their injuries include an airway issue, you may reposition the airway (see Chapter 6). Otherwise, MOVE ON. Remember, you are doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Examples of “red” injures are significant burns (especially to the face or neck), sucking chest wounds (a collection of air in the chest which causes part or all of a lung to collapse), shock, and severe external hemorrhages.

The sad reality is that there is no cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in a disaster. Even professional emergency responders will bypass CPR when the needs of victims outnumbers those that are able to offer aid. If someone is not breathing and/or their heart is not beating, they are considered deceased or type “black.” Unfortunately, the time and resources to focus the type of attention required for someone who is in need of CPR are lacking. In a mass casualty environment, CPR is rarely effective and keeps rescuers from tending to potentially savable patients.

Black: Deceased

When you encounter a victim that is not breathing, you can try to reposition the airway by placing the person on their back and tilting their head up. If there are no respirations, attempt to reposition the airway one more time. If there is no spontaneous return of respirations, you must consider the person deceased. Leave them where they lie and mark them as deceased,

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