445th ASTS reservists participate in START training

  • Published
  • By Capt. Demetrius Smith
  • 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Members of the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron received valuable life-saving training during the Feb. 24 unit training assembly when they were instructed on simple triage and rapid treatment, or START.

The START method was developed in the early 1980s by members of the Hoag Hospital and Newport Beach Fire Department in California. It places an emphasis on the first responder(s) to effectively and efficiently evaluate a mass casualty incident (MCI).

During a MCI, it is essential the first responders have a system to rate victims based on the injuries sustained. "Anyone can triage," said Maj. Cody Linder, clinical nurse, serving as one of the trainers. "You have to do the most good with the least amount of resources in a MCI, so evaluations have to be conducted fast.

Master Sgt. Samson Baker, medical materiel craftsman, said, "You need to keep evaluations to about 30 seconds per victim."

A good rule of thumb for first responders is to have all of the victims of the MCI who are able to assist in START. The more manpower you have the more lives may be saved. Linder said those that can hear his voice and come to him is a good way to get that additional manpower.

Once a victim is evaluated he/she will be categorized into one of four triage categories: Minor (Green) - delayed care/can delay up to three hours, Delayed (Yellow) - urgent care/can delay up to one hour, Immediate (Red) - immediate care/life threatening, Deceased (Black) - victim is dead or mortally wounded/no care required.

ASTS members attending the training worked in groups trying to solve triage scenarios. The scenarios allowed the group members to debate victims' injuries in the stay or go scenarios. The goal is to make every member aware of the complexities and the judgment needed to be a first responder. START provides guidelines that assist first responders in making the right decision in MCI.

To learn more about the START process go to: www.start-triage.com