3. Animal Bites/Attacks - ABD

Question 1

DANGEROUS Body Area

Answer 1

Armpit, Groin

Question 2

POSSIBLY DANGEROUS Body Area

Answer 2

Abdomen, amputation (excluding finger/toe), back, chest (breathing normally), genitalia, head (alert), leg (upper), neck (breathing normally)

Question 3

NOT DANGEROUS Body Area

Answer 3

Ankle, arm (upper), collar bone (clavicle), elbow, finger, foot, forearm, hand, hip/pelvis, knee, leg (lower), shoulder, toe, wrist

Question 4

Exotic Animal

Answer 4

Any animal that may be poisonous, dangerous, or whose risk is unknown

Question 5

Mauling (Savaging)

Answer 5

Attack that produces serious, multiple wounds or injuries, as opposed to a single or limited number of bites

Question 6

Serious Hemorrhage

Answer 6

Uncontrolled bleeding (spurting or pouring) from any area, or anytime a caller reports “serious” bleeding

Question 7

NON-RECENT

Answer 7

Six hours or more have passed since the incident or injury occurred (w/o priority symptoms)

Question 8

Superficial Injuries

Answer 8

Minor, usually shallow (non-penetrating) wounds w/o priority symptoms, even in DANGEROUS or POSSIBLY DANGEROUS body areas

Question 9

Rule 1

Answer 9

Spider, insect, or snake bites should be handled on Protocol 2

Question 10

Axiom 1

Answer 10

Most mammal bites are not prehospital emergencies. However, large animals (lions, tigers, bears, crocodiles, sharks, horses, etc.), EXOTIC animals, and even some dogs (pit bulls, rottweilers) are capable of inflicting serious injuries. In these rare cases, a maximal response is indicated.

Question 11

Axiom 2

Answer 11

On certain Protocols (3, 4, 7, 17, 27, etc.), an arrest may have been caused by extremely SERIOUS hemorrhage. In these cases, controlling the bleeding before initiating CPR may increase patient survival.

Question 12

Axiom 3

Answer 12

When a problem is NON-RECENT, the presence of current priority symptoms is the issue of most concern, not the location of the injuries per se.