4.10 Medical - First Aid

The First Aid Medic personnel should have EMT or Paramedic backgrounds.

The Medic should be on duty until the last search team of the day has returned.

Medic / First Aid Duties

• Phone local pharmacies and grocery stores for donated medical supplies.
• Organize a First Aid room / area in the Recovery Center.
• Make certain that Briefers and Search Team leaders include First Aid Kits, and drinking water in the check-lists for all searchers.
• Be available to searchers upon return - be prepared for:
  • Dehydration
  • Scratches from rusty metal, barbed wire and thorns
  • Raw sewage
  • Snake bites.
  • Allergic reactions
• Be aware of symptoms of exhaustion.
• Make arrangements with local doctor/clinic for free DPT (Tetanus) shots and post this notice in the Recovery Center: Anyone who has been through raw sewage or come in contact with rusty metal and has not had a DPT vaccination within the last 5 years must see the Medic

Searcher First Aid Kit

First Aid Kits are of immediate priority for the Recovery Center. They are to be sent out with every searcher in individual sized packaging. Consider including:

• Insect repellent - for example, Skintastic
• Triple antibiotic first aid ointment
• Anti-Itch cream
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Sterile adhesive bandages/bandaids
• Tylenol or similar headache remedy
• Wet-wipes in individual ziplock bag

Put all items in sealable bags.

First Aid Center Supplies

The following items should be on hand at the First Aid Center:

• Examination gloves, synthetic vinyl, powder free, disposable.
• Gauze sponges, bandaids (knuckle, fingertip, etc) surgical tape.
• Steri-strip skin closure surgical tape strip.
• Tubes of hydrocortisone
• Sting-Eze, poison oak/poison ivy lotion. Absorbine Jr. Solarcaine sun screen, Blistex, eye drops, Rolaids/Tums, Incodium, Maalox, Alka Seltzer
• Tylenol (500 mg), Aspirin, Benadryl, Ibuprofin
• Needle, safety razor, scissors, knife, slings, rubber tubing
• Saline (.9% Sodium Chloride Irrigation). Hydrogen Peroxide, Septisol solution
• Surgical towels (cloth), clean socks, sun glasses

Ambulance

A mobile ambulance with crew would be an ideal resource for the Recovery Center. The First Aid Medic could be in touch with the ambulance crew by cell phone. When requested by a search team leader, the ambulance could be dispatched to specific search areas in the field. Immediate transportation to a hospital could be provided if needed.