For many, there is nothing more beautiful than watching Mother Nature in action. Witnessing the power of 30-foot waves crashing against the beach or taking a boat down a winding river while it cuts its way through a valley can be an amazing experience. Unfortunately, sometimes that power manifests itself as a natural disaster. The following is an overview of four types of natural disasters and the specific injuries usually encountered by a hospital.

Although many first responders express reservations about airway suctioning, it is a potentially life-saving procedure that when performed correctly has a low risk of complications. With both cold and flu season and allergies causing year-round respiratory issues, it is always a great time for first responders to brush up on their airway management skills. Continuing education classes and regular drills can prepare you to manage even difficult airways. It’s equally important to be mindful of the main complications of suctioning. Awareness of these potential complications can guide your technique while encouraging your team to remain vigilant and diligent.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs when blood oxygen levels drop too low because fluid has accumulated in the lungs. Numerous medical conditions, both acute and chronic, can cause ARDS. Often, a first responder or doctor hears wheezing or crackling sounds coming from the lungs. When the lungs are clear, this usually signals a hematologic, metabolic, or obstructive process. Here’s what you need to know about diagnosing and treating the cause.

The majority of portable suction devices are powered by sealed lead-acid batteries. While this type of battery uses stable and reliable chemistry, it can lose capacity over time and require replacement. When buying a replacement battery for your portable suction device, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

The call came in as a “child down.” No other information was available. As your unit races to the scene, you do a quick mental inventory of the equipment you may need: pedi bag, airway bag, spinal immobilization, trauma bag. As with any emergency, your pulse is racing, but when the call involves a child, there is always an added layer of stress. Is your equipment ready? Did you inventory the pedi bag this morning? Can you recall the drug dosages, in case the child is in full arrest? A million questions flash through your mind.

School is in session, and medical emergencies in school are common – 10% to 15% of students have special medical needs or a chronic health issue—yet many schools are unprepared to manage them. 

Your suction machine is an unassuming but key ingredient in your emergency preparedness kit, allowing you to help patients remain comfortable, reduce their risk of serious airway complications, and – in some cases – save their lives.

For many first responders, airway trauma is an unusual scenario. Airway trauma accounts for less than 1% of traumatic injuries. Those with little experience managing airway trauma may be reluctant to intervene and lack confidence in their skill. Given the high mortality rates associated with severe airway trauma and the risks involved, first responders must master the art and science of tracheal trauma airway management. Regular drills and continuing education classes can help.

It’s 3:00 a.m., and you’ve just arrived at the home of a woman in her early 70s. She told the dispatcher that her husband was feeling a bit of discomfort in his chest and got up to go to the bathroom several minutes ago. She heard him fall in the hallway and found him unresponsive. You’re informed that he has a history of high blood pressure and has been a smoker for over 50 years, alerting you to the possibility he had a heart attack. 

Chest trauma can mean lethal consequences for your patients. Chest injuries account for 20% to 25% of deaths from trauma and contribute to 25% to 50% of the remaining deaths. Early recognition and treatment is one of the primary factors in reducing mortality.