Types and Events of Disasters Organization in Various Disaster Situations

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XX

   PDF

2. Welcoming Adresses

   1. Welcoming Adresses

      • Peter Safar

      Pages 1-8

3. Types and Events of Disasters. Definition of Disasters

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 9-9

      PDF

   2. Introduction

      • F. A. Bauhofer

      Pages 11-12

   3. The Role of Red Cross Assistance in Case of Disaster

      • J. Vittani

      Pages 13-18

   4. The Rise of Catastrophes

      • L. Clausen

      Pages 19-21

   5. Causes and Nature of Injuries in Air Accidents

      • J. F. Wurster

      Pages 22-25

   6. The Moorgate Underground Disaster — Friday 28th February, 1975

      • B. E. Fisher

      Pages 26-37

   7. Disaster at Sea

      • K. Jessen

      Pages 38-40

   8. Friuli’s Earthquake: First Steps Toward Reassumption of Hygienic Medical Control

      • C. Manni, S. Puntillo, A. de Ciampis, S. I. Magalini

      Pages 41-46

   9. The Main Problems of Medical Relief Actions in Armed Conflicts

      • C. F. Tidemann

      Pages 47-53

   10. Experiences in Disaster Medicine During the Tragic Civil War of Lebanon (1975-1976)

       • A. Baraka

       Pages 54-64

   11. Nutritional Programs to Combat Starvation Disasters: the Case of Ethiopia

       • F. Merkle, W. Mohr

       Pages 65-68

   12. Accidental Hypothermia Associated with Exposure to Wet-Cold Conditions and Exhaustion

       • J. Freeman

       Pages 69-75

   13. Poisoning in Environmental Catastrophes and Armed Conflicts: Possibilities of Treatment

       • N. Weger

       Pages 76-78

   14. Pathology and Therapy of Combination Injuries: Radiation Dose and Trauma

       • O. Messerschmidt

       Pages 79-87

   15. Medical Considerations in Radiation Accidents and the Biologic Effect of Fast Neutrons in Hydrogen Bomb Explosions

       • E. H. Graul

       Pages 88-101

   16. Possible Nuclear Disasters in War and Peace

       • J. Nehnevajsa

       Pages 102-106

   17. Principles of Modern Military Surgery as Applicable to a Civilian Disaster

       • D. D. Beard

       Pages 107-112

   18. Medical Experience Obtained by the Identification Commission of the Federal Criminal Office in Crashes of Large Airplanes

       • H. Leithoff

       Pages 113-114

F.A. Bauhofer, Geneva In disaster situations, the particular concern of WHO is not so much to offer immediate relief and assistance for affected communities, but to have ready prepared plans for the provision of primary medical care as well as for resuscitation and casualty services. Disast­ ers are characterized by a need for rapid assistance and by the inability of affected communities to cope with the large scale mortality, morbidity, and damage to essential installations and homes. In some highly elaborate and centralized societies even small­ scale events may assume the proportion of a disaster, if they result in the serious break­ down of vital services. The Executive Board of the World Health Organization has defmed disasters or "emergencies", as situations where there are unforeseen, serious, and immediate threats to public health. Particularly severe disasters may be classified as catastrophes; such -occurrences, whether natural or man-made, disturb or overthrow the existing order. For planning purposes, it is important to distinguish between different types of catastrophes since they require special relief measures. In the past, medical assistance was primarily needed in epidemics of, for example, plague, cholera, and smallpox. Today, health authorities face emergency problems brought about by major accidents and outbreaks of chemical pollution and poisoning, which may have long-term effects. The role of health services may differ quite extenSively in different types of cata­ strophes, and an attempt must be made to draw up specific plans to deal with them.

• Notfallmedizin
• Trauma
• care
• complications
• mortality
• surgery

• Institut für Anaesthesiologie, Universitätskliniken Mainz, Mainz, Germany

  Rudolf Frey

• Resuscitation Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburg, USA

  Peter Safar

Policies and ethics