How to survive under rubble: advice from Hospitallers and the State Emergency Service
фото: facebook Я.Зінкевич
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Basic rules of conduct in case of falling under rubble.
The enemy state has intensified airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and villages. The enemy is increasingly targeting residential areas, medical facilities, shelters, and critical infrastructure. Entire families are trapped under the rubble of their homes. That is why every Ukrainian should know the basic rules of conduct in case you or your loved ones are trapped under rubble. This knowledge can save lives before emergency responders arrive, and will also make their work easier during search and rescue operations.
Advice from the State Emergency Service and the “Hospitaliery” medical battalion, tested in real rescue operations, on basic rules of conduct in case of falling under rubble:
If you are trapped under rubble.
Remember: your main task is to help rescuers find you. To do this, use any available means: shout, knock on metal or concrete structures, whistle, use light (for example, a flashlight or phone screen).
During special “minutes of silence” all rescue equipment stops working to catch any sounds from under the rubble. It is during these minutes that your signals can become a chance for rescue. If you can, do not stop making sounds during this period.
Never use matches or lighters, as this may cause an explosion or fire due to possible gas leaks. Avoid any attempts to disassemble the debris yourself – this may cause the entire structure to collapse.
If you managed to get out on your own, check yourself for injuries. If possible, provide first aid to yourself or other victims.
Actions when limbs are pinched.
It happens that a person is trapped under rubble by debris. If the limb can be easily released, do it very carefully. However, if the limb is seriously trapped and the help of other people or special equipment is required to free it, you absolutely cannot do it yourself without first applying a tourniquet. After all, you can damage large vessels, which will lead to massive bleeding.
A particularly dangerous situation is when the limb is under pressure for more than 2 hours. Prolonged compression leads to a cessation of blood circulation in the tissues, and toxins accumulate there. If the pressure is suddenly released, these toxins enter the bloodstream, which can provoke acute kidney failure, heart disorders and even death.
In such cases, the tourniquet should be applied above the compression site (5–8 cm, not on the joint). Be sure to mark the time of application – use a waterproof marker for this. Only a qualified medical professional should remove the tourniquet!
How to stay warm and avoid hypothermia.
Even at above zero temperatures, the risk of hypothermia remains high, especially if a person is injured or has lost a lot of blood. The body loses its ability to maintain its temperature on its own, which can lead to serious consequences: heart failure, hypoxia, impaired consciousness, and blood clotting.
To avoid hypothermia, use everything available to keep you warm – blankets, thermal blankets, clothing, towels. It is especially important to insulate the chest, neck, and head – these are the areas that lose the most heat.
Do not lie down on concrete or the ground – be sure to put something under you.
Do not drink alcohol – it creates the illusion of warmth, but actually accelerates the cooling of the body.
What to have by your bed in case of a nighttime shelling.
Shelling often occurs at night when you don’t have time to gather. All items should be in a quick access area:
– first aid kit (tourniquets, hemostatic bandages, bandages, scissors, thermal blankets, marker);
– flashlight;
– a bottle of water;
– power bank;
– whistle.
And most importantly: don’t just rely on the instructions you’ve read. Sign up for practical first aid courses – it’s the skills you’ve learned that will help you act correctly in stressful situations!
More information – at Dovidka.info : https://dovidka.info/
Larisa Kyrykovich
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