#3 Disaster - Definition. Damaging Factors. Impact on medical support Flashcards
What is the “Normal” Definition of, Disasters?
A rare and unexpected event of severe magnitude
=> to create severe damage and many casualties
=> that overcome our ability to cope with the consequences
=> THEREFORE, we REQUIRE External Help
What is the “WHO” Definition of, Disasters?
A sudden ecological phenomenon
=> of sufficient magnitude
=> TO REQUIRE External Assistance
What is the “UN” Definition of, Disasters?
A serious disruption of the functioning of => a community
=> a society
- at any scale, due to hazardous events interacting with conditions of
=> exposure
=> vulnerability
=> capacity
- leading to one or more of the following: => human => material => economic => environmental - losses and impacts.
Define Damaging Factor
Factor, which a disaster, NEGATIVELY impacts
=> Environment Infrastructure
=> Population
How many Damaging Factors, are there?
7
What are the 7 Damaging Factors?
1) Thermal
2) Toxic
3) Overpressure
4) Blast Waves
5) Biological
6) Radiological
7) Stress and Panic
What is a “Thermal” Damaging Factor?
EXTREME Temperatures
=> cause injuries that lead to
=> irreversible changes in
- human tissues
- organs
Examples:
=> Wildfires
=> Industrial Accidents
=> Natural disasters.
What is a “Toxic” Damaging Factor?
Chemical compound (CO).
=> Pollute the area
=> Harm Humans.
Examples
=> Industrial Accidents
=> Fires
What is a “Overpressure” Damaging Factor?
- Falling debris.
- Excessive property damage
- Mass casualties.
Examples => Floods => Hurricanes => Tornadoes => Tsunamis
What is a “Blastwave” Damaging Factor?
The difference in pressure in
=> blast front AND
=> Environment.
Causes:
=> Human tissue + organ tearing
=> Building damages
=> Secondary Injuries
What is a “Biological” Damaging Factor?
1) Virus
2) Bacteria toxins.
=> Damages sanitary and hygiene.
What is a “Radiological” Damaging Factor?
=> can be Accidental
=> Application of Weapons
- Depends on dose.
- Can be long term.
What is a “Stress and Panic” Damaging Factor?
- Not just during the disaster
- Due to the consequences of the disaster
How many Impacts are there on Medical Support?
9 Impacts on Medical Support
What is the 1st Impact on Medical Support?
=> Type of disaster => Onset of disaster => Scale of disaster => Place of Occurence - UNPREDICTABLE!!!
- impossible to plan proper protection
- expect casualties in AOD
What is the 2nd Impact on Medical Support?
=> Number of Casualties
=> Type of Casualties
=> Severity of Casualties
- UNPREDICTABLE!!!
- As there is DISPARITY between
=> Available Medical Means
=> Required Medical Means
What is the 3rd Impact on Medical Support?
Affects geographical + Administrative Areas
=> of different Size
WITH Diverse Political + Economical Importance
Affects
=> Number of Forward Medical Stations REQUIRED
=> Number of Transport
=> Type of Transport
What is the 4th Impact on Medical Support?
Damage to infrastructure
=> (impact phase)
AFFECT
=> human health
=> human life
What is the 5th Impact on Medical Support?
Large no. of casualties
=> appearing w/ injuries of diff severity
=> compared to capabilities to deal with them
What is the 6th Impact on Medical Support?
AFFECT
=> Sanitary
=> Hygiene
LEADING to Epidemiological Changes
What is the 7th Impact on Medical Support?
Disparity in Medical Means & Capabilities
=> REQUIREMENT for Sanitary Transport
=> As NO of Casualties in UNPREDICTABLE !!!
=> LEADING to SCARCITY in NO of Medical Vehicles
What is the 8th Impact on Medical Support?
Hospital Capacity Affected
=> DUE to UNPREDICTABLE Number of Casualties
=> THEREFORE, DIFFICULT to treat them
What is the 9th Impact on Medical Support?
Disasters with Environmental Damages
=> HAVE 2-Fold Impact!
Example
1) INCREASE in NO of Casualties
2) DUE to POLLUTION
3) LEADING to LIMITATION of Capable Responses, from Medical Teams
4) WHERE they CAN’T ENTER Area of Damage, AOD
=> REDUCES Effectiveness
=> REDUCES Effort to limited time
=> IMPEDED Movement
