Disaster medicine is constantly gaining in importance owing to various trends, including the rising global population, climatic changes, and terrorism. Nevertheless, available textbooks on the subject suffer from being too theoretical; they provide little practical advice and few methodological guidelines. This book redresses the balance. It attaches central importance to the key component of decision making by explaining what needs to be done for patients in particular situations, and the required order and timing of treatment measures. Simplified methods receive due attention, as it is often necessary for medical staff to administer primary treatment outside of their own specialty. The organization of rescue services, casualty transport, and hospital management are also discussed in detail. This book should prove an invaluable aid to all who may be involved in the response to major accidents and disasters, including medical and nursing students and ambulance crew, as well as medical specialists.

The major incident - definitions and demands on the health care system

Major incidents: Examples and experiences
The prehospital response
Triage
The hospital response
Management of dead victims
Incidents caused by physical trauma
Incidents caused by fire and toxic gases
Incidents in cold and wet environments
Incidents caused by hazardous material
Incidents caused by irradiation
Infectious diseases and biological weapons
Incidents caused by changes in nature and climate
Combat casualty management
Terrorist attacks on the civilian community
Scoring systems related to outcome in severe injuries
Psychological crisis support in major incidents
Education and training
Methodological development and research.