HMSP OEC Student Companion

OEC CH34: Special Operations and Disaster Response

This textbook chapter on Outdoor Emergency Care provides an overview of special operations relevant to patrollers and OEC technicians, covering topics such as ambulance operations, disaster response, hazardous materials incidents (HAZWOPER), terrorism response (including active shooter protocols), and search and rescue (SAR) techniques. It emphasizes safety, preparedness, and coordination with specialized teams, highlighting the importance of understanding roles in various emergency scenarios, including avalanche and rope rescues, confined space incidents, and interactions with SAR dogs. The chapter also touches upon fire ground operations and crew resource management (CRM) to enhance team effectiveness and safety in complex situations.

OEC CH33: Behavioral Emergencies

This chapter from the Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller’s Guide provides OEC technicians with essential knowledge for managing behavioral emergencies. It defines key terms, differentiates between mood and psychotic disorders, and outlines common signs and symptoms. The text emphasizes rescuer safety during assessment and intervention, detailing techniques for patient evaluation, treatment, and when restraint is necessary. Finally, it addresses critical incident stress and the importance of seeking support after challenging events.

OEC CH32: Adaptive Athletes: Emergency Care Considerations

This chapter from an Outdoor Emergency Care guide provides comprehensive information for patrollers on assisting adaptive athletes, emphasizing the importance of understanding various disabilities like physical, intellectual, and sensory impairments. It details appropriate assessment and care techniques, including communication strategies tailored to different needs and considerations for specialized equipment. The text outlines specific medical conditions such as autonomic dysreflexia and seizures, and discusses adaptations for common procedures like splinting and patient transport, even addressing lift evacuation. Ultimately, this resource aims to equip emergency responders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively and respectfully aid athletes with disabilities in outdoor settings.

OEC CH31: Geriatric Emergencies

This chapter from an Outdoor Emergency Care guide focuses on geriatric emergencies, highlighting the physiological changes associated with aging and their impact on medical assessments and treatments. It outlines common illnesses and conditions affecting older adults, discusses the complexities of medication use in this population, and emphasizes crucial considerations for trauma management. Furthermore, the chapter provides guidance on effective communication techniques for geriatric patients and underscores the differences in managing their emergencies compared to younger individuals, using a case study to illustrate key concepts.

OEC CH30: Pediatric Assessment and Emergency Care

This chapter from Outdoor Emergency Care: A Patroller’s Guide to Medical Care specifically addresses pediatric emergencies, highlighting the anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults that influence assessment and treatment. It outlines various stages of child development, normal vital signs for different age groups, and effective communication techniques for young patients and their caregivers. The text covers common pediatric illnesses and injuries, emphasizing assessment skills using the pediatric assessment triangle and modifications for physical exams based on age. Furthermore, it provides guidance on the management of pediatric emergencies, including respiratory issues, seizures, and suspected child abuse or neglect, alongside a case study illustrating these principles in practice.