Not a doctor but it seems pretty obvious to me that "serious injuries" comes first. Not knowing what the injuries are makes it harder to determine course of action but "serious injuries" implies worse than the other two. (bleeding out? broken limbs? impaled on steering column? hand sheared off? broken ribs/internal injuries?)
The other two don't have life-threatening injuries so they can wait until #3 is stabilized and taken care of (or dies).
I think it might be complicated by it looking like one of the victims has assaulted someone else by pulling them over the edge. They'd have to try and rescue the person that got yanked over the edge to ensure their safety from further assault. If the driver is stable, then I'd give priority to the person the rear passenger pulled over the edge, and I'd want them stowed safely away in the ambulance before doing anything else. If the driver is breathing and not bleeding out then I would prioritise the person who has just been assaulted and want to make sure they are away from their attacker. Rear passenger who pulled someone over the edge is lowest priority, for obvious reasons.
How are they all dressed, because exposure is going to be an issue here. Is the area damp? Because that means anyone falling down the ravine is going to get wet and that is going to increase their risk of hypothermia.
I'd also ask how steep and deep that ravine is, because I would suspect that it would be better to get the driver out rather than try hauling a car back out and risk a tow cable snapping.
Thanks! They are wearing warm coats. One is wearing jeans, one is in a wool suit. Both are in boots.
Actually, when I realized that my question had been sitting in the approval queue for a couple of days, I posted to a Facebook group and got what I needed for this chapter. But I'm still taking notes because the next chapter will take place partly at the hospital, so noting what everyone is likely to be treated for is still helpful. (I can go with some mild exposure and hypothermia, if only because they got a bit banged up sliding down the ravine and I have mentioned that the woolen suit pants got a bit ripped. It's not particularly damp, but body heat will melt snow, etc.)
Wool is a good choice, it keeps you warm even when wet. The person in jeans is going to be the most at risk of exposure unless they are wearing long thermals under them. They are one of the worst things to wear when going out in the cold, mountain and hill rescue teams hate hearing that someone they are having to rescue is wearing denims because they don't keep out the breeze and and they soak up wet water like nothing on earth and hold it right next to the skin.
I don't know if it helps, but the process of assigning priority to injured people is called "triage". You can find information on line on how to do this.
Also consider the "EMTs" on the ambulance - are they running with Advanced Life Support (ALS) medics (known as paramedics or Basic Life Support (BLS) EMTs? Most ambulance companies have at least one paramedic on a rig. Depending on what fire district, ambulances do not typically respond solo to any vehicle accident: they are accompanied by a fire engine, usually one with hoist capabilities and the Jaws of Life, along with additional personnel.
Standard rescue techniques would be employed - harnessed rescuers going down to retrieve the victims, especially your injured driver.
Thanks! I got advice from a Facebook group while my question was sitting in the queue here and I did use a fire truck as well. (I guess it should have come automatically, instead of when called to do so, but in my defense, Storybrooke doesn't generally deal with non-magical emergencies and few people have ever been outside the town. I can handwave a couple of things.)
Here’s an informative guide on how trauma patients are triaged before getting to the hospital. Triage Guide It might be helpful for figuring out the details and what the EMTs would do once they get there.
Comments 10
The other two don't have life-threatening injuries so they can wait until #3 is stabilized and taken care of (or dies).
Reply
Reply
Reply
I'd also ask how steep and deep that ravine is, because I would suspect that it would be better to get the driver out rather than try hauling a car back out and risk a tow cable snapping.
Reply
Actually, when I realized that my question had been sitting in the approval queue for a couple of days, I posted to a Facebook group and got what I needed for this chapter. But I'm still taking notes because the next chapter will take place partly at the hospital, so noting what everyone is likely to be treated for is still helpful. (I can go with some mild exposure and hypothermia, if only because they got a bit banged up sliding down the ravine and I have mentioned that the woolen suit pants got a bit ripped. It's not particularly damp, but body heat will melt snow, etc.)
Reply
Reply
Reply
Standard rescue techniques would be employed - harnessed rescuers going down to retrieve the victims, especially your injured driver.
http://www.maine.gov/ems/
Reply
Reply
It might be helpful for figuring out the details and what the EMTs would do once they get there.
Reply
Leave a comment