Disasters
Disasters are sudden, catastrophic events that disrupt pattern of life, often associated with destruction of property, multiple injuries and death of a number of persons.
Common elements of any disaster are as follows.
- Causalities
- Homeless persons.
- Disruption of sanitary facilities.
- Some degree of panic.
Types of Disaster
Type Examples
- Natural disasters – Cyclone, hurricane, flood, drought, earthquake, volcanic eruption, and epidemic
- Man- made unintentional disasters – fire, explosion, accidents of trains, and aircrafts of ships
- Man-made intentional disasters – bombing, atomic bombing, biologic warfare, chemical warfare
Victim of a disaster need first aid, emergency treatment, food, shelter, clothing and the basic requirements of life, which are often not easily available with no advance warning.
Conventional warfare with guns, explosives, fire bobs may produce the following injuries.
- Wounds due to splinters and explosives.
- Fractures due to explosives.
- Rupture of ear drums due to shock waves of explosives
- Multiple injuries due to falling of buildings.
- Burns due to the fires.
