scholarly journals Editorial: Prevention of Nuclear War and Disaster Preparedness

Author(s):  
Peter Safar

The above contributions by Professors Chazov and Lown, the comments by Dr. Rebentisch, and the Resolutions by the WAEDM, the Red Cross and the WHO indicate that disaster medicine planning for a response to and civil defense protection in case of nuclear war is senseless, wasteful of resources (which are needed for current vital social programs worldwide), and also dangerous, by giving national leaders the impression that some individuals' medical protection in a nuclear war is possible. Most people, including some national leaders and military experts, believe that limited use of nuclear weapons would escalate to a global nuclear holocaust, and that any medical planning for nuclear war might encourage the irrational belief that nuclear was is winnable. Even if it were “winnable” the resulting death and torture of millions of innocent people and the damage of our planet's ecologic balance, make any consideration of the military use of nuclear explosions morally and medically unacceptable.

1993 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek C. Angus ◽  
Ernesto A. Pretto ◽  
Joel I. Abrams ◽  
Peter Safar

AbstractIn catastrophic disasters such as major earthquakes in densely populated regions, effective Life-Supporting First-Aid (LSFA) and basic rescue can be administered to the injured by previously trained, uninjured survivors (co victims). Administration of LSFA immediately after disaster strikes can add to the overall medical response and help to diminish the morbidity and mortality that result from these events. Widespread training of the lay public also may improve bystander responses in everyday emergencies. However, for this scheme to be effective, a significant percentage of the lay population must learn the eight basic steps of LSFA. These have been developed by the International Resuscitation Research Center in collaboration with the World Association for Emergency and Disaster Medicine, the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety, and the American Red Cross (Pennsylvania chapter). They include: 1) scene survey; 2) airway control; 3) rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth); 4) circulation (chest compressions; may be omitted for disasters, but should be retained for everyday bystander response); 5) abdominal thrusts for choking (may be omitted for disasters, but retained for everyday bystander response); 6) control of external bleeding; 7) positioning for shock; and 8) call for help.


Other than taxes, the best way to pay for the war was through citizens purchasing War Bonds. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) was organized to set the prices of goods and prioritize the allotment of goods. Due to the primary needs of the military, many items were rationed. Most Americans accepted the system, but there were some violations of the law. Citizens helped in the war effort through victory gardens, scrap drives, Red Cross work, Civil Defense, and volunteer activities.


2020 ◽  
pp. 136-153
Author(s):  
Elizaveta E. Polianskaia ◽  

This article deals with the problem of recruiting sisters of mercy by the Russian Red Cross Society (also RRCS, Red Cross) in 1908-1914s. In case of war, Red Cross had to send sisters of mercy to its own institutions and to medical institutions of the military Department. The war ministry was developing a mobilization plan, which included a plan for the deployment of medical facilities. The ministry sent this plan to the administration of the Red Cross. In accordance with the request of the ministry, the RRCS strengthened its efforts to attract new staff of sisters of mercy. This activity led to certain results. On the eve of the war, there was a number of sisters of mercy that were required to replenish the medical institutions of the Red Cross and the military Department. That means that according to the pre-war plan, in the matter of creating a cadre of sisters of mercy, the RRCS was ready for the war. However, the Great War took on a wide scale, a situation which the army, the industry, and the medical service were not prepared for. The Russian Red Cross Society was forced to quickly open new medical institutions and to urgently train new personnel. Sometimes the duties of nurses were performed by those who did not have the necessary education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 238212052110207
Author(s):  
Brad D Gable ◽  
Asit Misra ◽  
Devin M Doos ◽  
Patrick G Hughes ◽  
Lisa M Clayton ◽  
...  

Background: Mass casualty and multi-victim incidents have increased in recent years due to a number of factors including natural disasters and terrorism. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recommends that medical students be trained in disaster preparedness and response. However, a majority of United States medical students are not provided such education. Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1 day, immersive, simulation-based Disaster Day curriculum. Settings and Design: Learners were first and second year medical students from a single institution. Materials and Methods: Our education provided learners with information on disaster management, allowed for application of this knowledge with hands-on skill stations, and culminated in near full-scale simulation where learners could evaluate the knowledge and skills they had acquired. Statistical analysis used: To study the effectiveness of our Disaster Day curriculum, we conducted a single-group pretest-posttest and paired analysis of self-reported confidence data. Results: A total of 40 first and second year medical students participated in Disaster Day as learners. Learners strongly agreed that this course provided new information or provided clarity on previous training, and they intended to use what they learned, 97.6% and 88.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Medical students’ self-reported confidence of key disaster management concepts including victim triage, tourniquet application, and incident command improved after a simulation-based disaster curriculum. This Disaster Day curriculum provides students the ability to apply concepts learned in the classroom and better understand the real-life difficulties experienced in a resource limited environment.


1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (99) ◽  
pp. 295-303
Author(s):  
E. Reginato

In his introductory address at the third International Refresher Course for Junior Medical Officers, Dr. H. Meuli, member of the ICRC, said “No one knows war better than the military medical officer, nor measures its horror, nor hates it more. No one has greater insight into war to enable him to take a stand for peace and against war”. From its very beginnings the Red Cross has been linked to medicine; it was the ICRC which obtained for doctors the means of exercising their profession in war, which are laid down in the Geneva Conventions.It therefore seems appropriate to quote extensively from a communication submitted at the Course by an Italian doctor, bearing moving testimony to the difficulties facing the medical officer, the noble character of his mission and the principles underlying his activity in the prisoner of war camp. These principles were summed up in his conclusion : “Like peace and justice, medicine loses its significance if not accompanied by charity. If it is to stay universal, it must not lose its humanity”. (Ed.).


2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (S3) ◽  
pp. s82-s86 ◽  
Author(s):  

AbstractThis Panel Session consisted of five country reports (India, Indonesia, Maldives, Thailand, andNepal) and the common issues identified during the Panel discussions relative to seismic events in the Southeast Asia Region. Important issues identified included the needs for: (1) a legal framework upon which to base preparedness and response; (2) coordination between the many organizations involved; (3) early warning systems within and between countries; (4) command and control; (5) access to resources including logistics; (6) strengthening the health infrastructure; (7) professionalizing the field of disaster medicine and management; (8) management of communications and information; (9) management of dead bodies; and (10) mental health of the survivors and health workers.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s120-s120
Author(s):  
K. Chikhradze ◽  
T. Kereselidze ◽  
T. Zhorzholiani ◽  
D. Oshkhereli ◽  
Z. Utiashvili ◽  
...  

IntroductionDuring 2008 Russian Federation realized major aggression against its direct neighbor, the sovereign republic of Georgia. It was Russia's attempt to crown its long time aggressive politics by force, using military forces. EMS physicians from Tbilisi went to the Gori district on August 8 at first light, 14 brigades were sent. At noontime of August 8, their number was increased up to 40. 6 brigades of disaster medicine experts joined them as well.ResultsDestination site for the beginning was the village Tkviavi, where a military field hospital was assembled and a Military Hospital in Gori. Later 6 brigades were withdrawn towards the village Avnevi. During fighting, wounded victims were evacuated from the battlefield, where initial triage was done. Evacuated victims were brought to the military hospital where the medical triage, emergency medical care and transportation to Gori military hospital or to Tbilisi hospitals was done. A portion of the wounded was directly taken to Gori military hospital and later to different civil hospitals in Tbilisi. Corpses were transported to Gori morgue as well. On August 9, the emergency care brigades and field hospital left Tkviavi and moved to the village Karaleti, then to Gori. On August 12, the occupied territory was totally evacuated by civil and military medical personnel. Although withdrawal of wounded was done on following days. Up to 2232 military and civil persons were assisted by EMS brigades during war period (8–12 August), from them 721 patients were transported among which 120 were severely injured.ConclusionClose collaboration between military and civil EMS gave the system opportunity to work in an organized manner. On the battlefield prepared military rescuers were active taking out wounded victims to the field or front-line hospitals from which civil emergency care brigades transported them to Tbilisi hospitals. Only 3 fatalities occurred during transportation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106-124
Author(s):  
O. Mitrofanova

The article is devoted to the study of the experience and peculiarities of reconciliation of contradictions between Germany and France. The positions of the Presidents of France and Chancellors of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the theoretical foundations and practical steps of the implementation of French-German reconciliation are studied. This paper deals with the problem of Alsace-Lorraine, a region with a border identity, which repeatedly became the cause of Franco-German disputes and passed from one state to another. The role of the individual in overcoming the contradictions between Germany and France is highlighted. The factor of European integration is considered, which not only contributed to the reconciliation of contradictions between Germany and France, but also turned the two states into leaders of a united Europe. The Elysee Treaty and its implementation were analyzed. The military cooperation between France and Germany is investigated. The problem of historical memory and the desire to reconcile the contradictions between Germany and France are revealed. It is proved that the experience and peculiarities of reconciliation of contradictions between Germany and France testify to the fact that the real reconciliation of the two leading states directed their efforts towards a more global goal – the creation of a common Europe. It was concluded that the mechanisms for achieving Franco-German reconciliation are interesting for studying and borrowing, taking into account national characteristics in the reconciliation of other European countries, and regions with borderline identities. The French-German experience may be useful for application in Polish-Ukrainian relations. The main conclusion from the analysis of the experience and the peculiarities of reconciling the contradictions between Germany and France is that their implementation led to unexpected and far-reaching consequences that once seemed just a dream. At the beginning of European integration in the 50s of the twentieth century, it was difficult to imagine the contemporary EU with its common currency, the Schengen area, developed economy, social programs. Franco-German reconciliation was transformed into the fruitful work of the Franco-German tandem, on the success of which depends not only the future of France and Germany, but the evolution of the entire united Europe.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 165-172
Author(s):  
Liang Zhou ◽  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Zhigang Zhang ◽  
Lidong Fan ◽  
Shuo Tang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThis study analyzed and assessed publication trends in articles on “disaster medicine,” using scientometric analysis. Data were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) of Thomson Reuters on March 27, 2017. A total of 564 publications on disaster medicine were identified. There was a mild increase in the number of articles on disaster medicine from 2008 (n=55) to 2016 (n=83). Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness published the most articles, the majority of articles were published in the United States, and the leading institute was Tohoku University. F. Della Corte, M. D. Christian, and P. L. Ingrassia were the top authors on the topic, and the field of public health generated the most publications. Terms analysis indicated that emergency medicine, public health, disaster preparedness, natural disasters, medicine, and management were the research hotspots, whereas Hurricane Katrina, mechanical ventilation, occupational medicine, intensive care, and European journals represented the frontiers of disaster medicine research. Overall, our analysis revealed that disaster medicine studies are closely related to other medical fields and provides researchers and policy-makers in this area with new insight into the hotspots and dynamic directions. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:165–172)


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