Confined space rescue and medical aid in Wenchuan earthquake

Abstract

Objective To investigate the special problems about rescue in confined space to give medical aid to 49 survivors saved by National Earthquake Disaster Emergency Search and Rescue Team in Wenchuan earthquake in order to get invaluable experience for improving emergency medical service in such a difficult condition.Methods Forty-nine survivors saved from 12 to 21 May 2008 were divided into two groups:non-confined space group and confined space group.The trapped time of victim,length of time required for successful rescue of one case and the time of on-site first aid initiated were compared between these two groups.Results The ratio of confined space rescue case was increased with increase in length of time consumed for rescue.Of confined space group and non-confined space group,the median of the rescued time was 4.48 h and 1.38 h,respectively,and the median of the first aid time was 0.89 h and 0.10 h,respectively.The median of the trapped time in confined space group was 49.55 h and 21.58 h in non-confined space group.Comparison made between two groups with the average rank showed the time required for success rescue and the time elapsed for initiation of first aid in confined space group were longer than those in non-confined space group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The confined space rescue is a big challenge during earthquake rescue,and the time required for first aid carried out in confined space rescue was longer than non-confined space rescue.It is important to comprehend the seriousness of earthquake disaster and the difficult problems to rescue casualties beneath the ruined buildings.Therefore,the option of optimal devices and technology for emergency care should be made to fit the confined space rescue thereby reducing the disability ratio in survivors and increasing the success of on-site rescue. Key words: Confined space rescue; Earthquake rescue; Medical aid; Wenchuan earthquake