3-14-2012
During a recent Franklin
Search & Rescue training, Paul offered the following sequence.
1. Identify
the type of injury= package the patient on her back or side (this is an EMS
decision)
2. Spine stable/injury? If spinal,
make litter and patient one unit
3. Build from patient-outward
4. Anticipate rig for medical needs- vomit,
blood pressure, stethoscope, etc.
5. Get patient out of wet clothing down to long
underwear layer
6. Provide for bathroom needs, use a depends, or
makeshift diaper
7. Vapor barrier (VB) for warmth 2 lg. plastic
garbage bags can make the patient damp from perspiration but warm. Paul uses a
VB into 70 degrees F. range
8. Add the bulk warmth layer, sleeping
bags, Wiggies Bag, blanket, etc.
9. Add a Vapor barrier over outside of package
(burrito wrap) you can use a tarp, tent fly, garbage bag, etc.
10. The
4 parts of the package are: dry clothing, inner VB, bulk insulation, outer VB
11. In
the litter, attach webbing to the litter above the shoulder make an X, tie
around belt area to prevent patient from sliding forward.
12. If
injury permits, use webbing to make a stirrup for the feet to prevent sliding
in the litter or use an improvised seat harness if a leg or foot injury.
13. Webbing
x over pelvic area.
14. Address
the 3 weight centers: head, chest, and pelvis
15. Fill
the voids along the body between the patient and the litter with foam swimming
noodles or use spare (patient) clothing.
16. Voids/spaces
to address: under knees, small of back, shoulders
An
unused blood pressure cuff can be a great adjustable ‘small of back’ support.
Gear
to have in your litter kit before you leave the parking lot: garbage bags, foam
sleeping pads, depends, foam noodles, webbing
Paul
Recommended that the team carry 8 pieces of 9’ foot webbing or spider
strap.
Rescuers,
should always use patient gear from their pack before using team gear (sleeping
bag, sleeping pad, clothing for padding, etc.)
