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Advanced Trauma Life Support ATLS Student Course Manual 2018

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329<br />

APPENDIX F n Triage Scenarios<br />

Triage Scenario VI<br />

Earthquake and Tsunami<br />

SCENARIO<br />

A coastal city of 15,000 people is struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, followed by a tsunami that travels 2.5<br />

miles (4 km) inland. In the aftermath, there is an explosion and fire at a seaside nuclear power reactor. Many<br />

structures have collapsed, and some victims are trapped inside. Others may have been swept out to sea.<br />

Some of the roads leading out of the region are blocked by flooding and landslides. Local utilities, including<br />

electricity and water, have failed. The temperature currently is 13°C (55°F), and it is beginning to rain; the sun<br />

sets in 2 hours. Upon responding to the event, firefighters and paramedics find the following scene:<br />

INJURED<br />

Two technicians are brought from the nuclear power plant:<br />

• The first technician has 40% BSA second- and third-degree burns. A survey with a Geiger counter shows<br />

he has radioactive materials on him.<br />

• The second technician has no burns, but she is confused and repeatedly vomiting. She also has radioactivity<br />

on her clothing.<br />

Paramedics have triaged 47 injured residents of the surrounding area:<br />

• 12 category Red patients<br />

--8 with extensive (20% to 50% BSA) second- and third-degree burns<br />

• 8 category Yellow patients<br />

--3 with focal (< 10% BSA) second-degree burns<br />

• 23 category Green patients<br />

--10 with painful extremity deformities<br />

• 5 category Blue or Expectant patients<br />

--3 with catastrophic (> 75% BSA) second- and third-degree burns<br />

DECEASED<br />

At least six nuclear plant technicians and five residents are dead, including one infant with a fatal head injury.<br />

Many other people are missing<br />

Two fire companies and two additional ambulances have been called. The local community hospital has 26<br />

open beds, 5 primary care providers, and 2 surgeons, 1 of whom is on vacation. The nearest surviving trauma<br />

center is 75 miles (120 km) away, and the nearest designated burn center is more than 200 miles (320 km) away.<br />

1. Should community disaster plans be invoked? Why, or why not?<br />

2. If a mass-casualty event is declared, who should be designated the incident commander?<br />

n BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />

(continued)

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