If there are multiple casualties, as in a disaster, first aid has to be administered to a large number of victims. In such cases, the ambulance service has to be very good for rapid and efficient transfer to a hospital. The process of triage is used to sort patients according to priority for care and transport. Accordingly the patients are placed in three categories as shown in the following table. Every ambulance and rescue unit should carry tags that can be used during triage phase of disaster operation.
When there are a number of casualties at a time, as in a disaster or calamity, you have to decide whom to give first aid first, and whom to transport in an ambulance first. This is explained in the following table.
Priority of First Aid Treatment and Transportation
Priority Conditions
Highest (red tag)
– Respiratory arrest, airway obstruction and severe breathing difficulties.
– Cardiac arrest.
– Uncontrolled severe hemorrhage and shock.
– Severe head injuries.
– Open chest wounds.
– Burns involving respiratory tract.
– Unconsciousness, coma.
– Heart attack.
– Poisoning.
– Open abdominal wounds. Second (green tag) – Severe burns.
– Injuries to spine.
– Moderate hemorrhage.
– Multiple fractures.
– Head injuries, patient conscious.
– Spinal injury. Lowest (white tag) – Minor fractures.
– Minor bleeding.
– Moderate or minor burns.
□ THE AMBULANCE
It should be in perfect condition in all of the following respects.
1. Wheels, engine, and brakes.
2. Doors and windows.
3. Communication equipment.
4. Warning devices.
5. Lights.
6. Fuel.
7. Road worthiness.
When on emergency duty of transporting a patient, an ambulance driver is generally granted the following privileges with respect to speed, passage through traffic, and parking.
1. Exceed the speed limit by 5 to 10 mph as long as life and property of others are not endangered.
2. Pass in no-entry-zones after providing an appropriate signal to other drivers.
3. With the proper caution and signals, disregard the regulations about traffic lights, turning etc.
4. Use sound signals like siren sparingly.