Types of wounds on those rescued from the avalanche disaster

Abstract

Aim: The most crucial step in rescue operations is the safety of rescuers. Two critical points were addressed to contribute to the literature. The first point is that the intervention of the rescuers together with the local people before ensuring the safety may result in more catastrophic disasters, and the second point is the course of avalanche victims after being rescued. Method: After the avalanche disaster that occurred in February 2020, the team, who went to help, was exposed to the avalanche disaster that happened again. A total of 65 people were rescued with injuries in both disasters. Data of patients admitted to neighboring hospitals (secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities) in Van province and 112 Emergency Health Services data were recorded. Result: 41 avalanche victims died, 40 were out of the hospital and one victim in a local secondary healthcare facility. Among the 65 rescued people, one was admitted to the intensive care unit, 8 underwent emergency surgery, 40 were admitted to the hospital for follow-up purposes, and 16 were discharged after initial treatment in the emergency department. Of the patients, 63 were male, one was female, and the mean age was 36.39 years. Conclusion: The primary strategy in an avalanche disaster is to stay in the safe zone. As with all major disasters, various types of injuries can occur. Although the priority is to reduce deaths, determining the most common injury areas of individuals exposed to disasters will help prevent possible deaths and disabilities.