Trauma Week 2024 Day 1

This year's Trauma Week was led by District Four Chief Ben McKenna and centered around an ATV accident in the woods. The scenario involved a 17-year-old female victim who fell off a moving ATV, sustaining severe injuries. Upon arriving at the scene, Engine 22’s crew immediately assessed the situation, finding the victim unresponsive but breathing with a pulse. Following protocol, they removed her clothing to identify potential injuries, placed her on a spinal board, and administered oxygen. A needle decompression using a 14-gauge needle was performed to alleviate a suspected tension pneumothorax, alongside administering a 1L saline bag to stabilize her critically low blood pressure before transport to the hospital.

This highlighted the critical need for rapid assessment and decisive action in trauma cases. The victim exhibited labored breathing with diminished sounds on the left side, a blood pressure of 86/40, and a dangerously high heart rate of 130-140 bpm. Unequal pupils, with the left dilated, and crepitus in the lumbar spine further indicated severe trauma. The team aimed to stabilize her systolic blood pressure to at least 90 mmHg while carefully managing her assisted breathing to avoid hyperventilation. This scenario not only tested responders' skills but also underscored the importance of maintaining precise vitals and swift coordination in life-threatening emergencies. Chief McKenna’s guidance offered invaluable insights, reinforcing best practices for handling complex trauma cases in the field.