In this chapter you will learn about the following: Describe the basic structure of the legal system in the United States, relate how laws affect the paramedic’s practice, list situations that a paramedic is legally required to report in most states, describe the four elements involved in a claim of negligence, describe measures paramedics may take to protect themselves from claims of negligence. | 9/11/2012 1 Chapter 55 Rescue Awareness and Operations 2 Learning Objectives • Describe factors that must be considered to ensure appropriate timing of medical and mechanical skills during a rescue. • Outline each phase of a rescue operation. • Identify the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for rescue operations. 3 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 1 9/11/2012 Learning Objectives • Describe important considerations for emergency medical services (EMS) crews in a surface water rescue. • Discuss important considerations for EMS crews in rescues associated with hazardous atmospheres, including confined spaces and trench or cave‐in situations. 4 Learning Objectives • Describe hazards that may be present during an EMS rescue operation on a highway. • Describe important considerations for EMS crews in a rescue involving hazardous terrain. • Outline special considerations for prehospital assessment and management during a rescue operation. 5 Appropriate Training for Rescue Operations • Rescue work requires training and expertise so that medical and mechanical skills are carefully balanced – Helps to ensure patients get effective treatment and timely extrication – Rescue effort must be driven by patient’s needs, both medical and physical – Success of any rescue depends on coordinated effort between medical care and specialized rescue efforts 6 Copyright © 2013 by Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC, an Ascend Learning Company 2 9/11/2012 Appropriate Training for Rescue Operations • Coordinated effort allows – Patient access and assessment for treatment needs – Initiation of treatment at site – Release of patient from entrapment or imprisonment – Continuous medical care throughout incident 7 Role of the Paramedic in Rescue Operations • Most rescues in . are accomplished through systems operations approach – In this form of rescue management, extrication is performed by •
