Storm chasers ponder: Should you help when a storm hits?

[JF Massicotte]

As a FF/EMR I have some input, especially since there seems to be some misconception about what is needed on such scenes.

1) Most casualties in a tornado disaster area are going to be of traumatic nature.

2) In traumatic situation, the difference between life and death is the time it takes for the patient to get in the trauma center.

3) If a trauma victim is already dead, performing CPR is not a priority. Assisting other victims who still have a chance is (exception for electrocuted victims or those who had a confirmed heart attack).

4) Getting yourself injured will not make you a hero, but you may become the guy who added delay to someone who will die because he/she waited 15 more minutes before getting assistance. Stay out of danger, emergency personnel don't like added workload from hero bystanders.



With all this being said, the biggest help chasers can probably provide to disaster area is clearing a path so ambulances can have fast access to patients. Also localizing patients will be of a big help. Making sure bystanders don't park their cars in the way. Anything that will help fast evacuation is making a big difference. If you can get the lightly injured (those who can walk) in the same safe location you are also helping a lot! So basically what I am saying is, chasers can be a valuable resource in the first minutes after a disaster, it's just that most of us are unaware that the most important tasks are those that nobody thinks about because they are not under the spotlight. But they are really what is making a difference.

 

[Todd Lemery]

I just wanted to clarify what Noob was saying about CPR. If there is a mass casualty event, you should focus on who can be saved as opposed to who is the worst off. This is where the term "triage" comes from. It's tough to draw lines, but the thinking goes that you don't want to expend all your efforts to help someone who likely isn't going to make it while withholding efforts on another who has a better chance of being saved. By putting most of your efforts in the one likely not to make it, you may lose both.
I'm also a professional firefighter/EMT. Statistically less than 8 percent of patients given CPR outside of a hospital survive. Like Noob said, starting CPR might not be a priority if there are possibly other victims.

 

[Jarod Carlisle]

I have a basic first aid kit and some additional items (extra gauze, saline etc) and other emergency equipment (leather gloves, flashlight, tire repair items, tow rope etc) to assist anyone I find in need. I have basic first aid training from the Army years ago but will for the first time getting first aid/cpr certification this month. If someone needs help, I help.
That said, obviously professionals should be called first and when they arrive I defer to them and only stay around if asked.

 

[lvsne01]

I don't care who the chaser is. If you are the first or the last to a disaster that just occurred and you are an able body, you stop to help, following the Good Samaritan law. There is always something that can be done. All chasers should have a good first aid kit and know how to use it. Have first and/CPR training all it takes is one person to help save a life!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Clarence Bennett]

Interesting topic...I have been right on significant damage as it was happening three different times. Here in TN several years ago, Pratt City, AL (Birmingham) 2011, and near Vilonia, AR last year. All three times weren't pretty and deeply affected me for months afterwards. If you have it in you to face the dark side, then you should definitely do all you can. I have seen chasers stand by as I pulled people out and found bodies. I have to assume it isn't something they have the stomach for, which is fine. It isn't for everyone. My only advice is that if you are going to run into a damage path to help out, leave your camera's behind and actually help out. You can't do a whole lot with one hand.

 

[Derek S Baker]

I have a basic first aid kit and some additional items (extra gauze, saline etc) and other emergency equipment (leather gloves, flashlight, tire repair items, tow rope etc) to assist anyone I find in need. I have basic first aid training from the Army years ago but will for the first time getting first aid/cpr certification this month. If someone needs help, I help.
That said, obviously professionals should be called first and when they arrive I defer to them and only stay around if asked.

That is a really helpful list! Are there any other items chasers should have with them in case they come upon serious damage & casualties?

 

[Derek S Baker]

Interesting topic...I have been right on significant damage as it was happening three different times. Here in TN several years ago, Pratt City, AL (Birmingham) 2011, and near Vilonia, AR last year. All three times weren't pretty and deeply affected me for months afterwards. If you have it in you to face the dark side, then you should definitely do all you can. I have seen chasers stand by as I pulled people out and found bodies. I have to assume it isn't something they have the stomach for, which is fine. It isn't for everyone. My only advice is that if you are going to run into a damage path to help out, leave your camera's behind and actually help out. You can't do a whole lot with one hand.

Great points. I know of several chasers who made the wise decision to go see a counsellor/therapist after such experiences. Pounding down a bunch of drinks afterwards won't do it, as the effects are pretty similar to (or actually are) PTSD. A professional knows how to help a person re-process the experience in a manner that will stop it from haunting the person who witnessed the disaster & carnage.

 

[Derek S Baker]

I just wanted to clarify what Noob was saying about CPR. If there is a mass casualty event, you should focus on who can be saved as opposed to who is the worst off. This is where the term "triage" comes from. It's tough to draw lines, but the thinking goes that you don't want to expend all your efforts to help someone who likely isn't going to make it while withholding efforts on another who has a better chance of being saved. By putting most of your efforts in the one likely not to make it, you may lose both.
I'm also a professional firefighter/EMT. Statistically less than 8 percent of patients given CPR outside of a hospital survive. Like Noob said, starting CPR might not be a priority if there are possibly other victims.

All good advice. However, does First Aid Training provide enough of a background to do triage? I am no expert, but I would suspect that there are cases where it's pretty obvious that the victim's chances are not good, but after that it becomes a very challenging & weighty decision..

 

[Derek S Baker]

A noob question: I have read of situations where chemical or biological contaminants in a damage path have resulted in serious consequences for those doing first response, or search & rescue (the toxic mold in Joplin being one example). I could imagine situations where hazardous materials were spread over much of a damage path, or even well beyond it. I could see it being a real advantage to know what industries & storage facilities are present in an area threatened by severe weather, however for those who are not local chasers, it could be difficult knowing this ahead of time.

So folks, beyond a tetanus shot/booster, what other vaccinations & protective measures should a chaser have considered before the season begins?

 

[Justin Wilcox]

I would never even come close to risking my life to help anyone...ever. I would however, offer help if someone is in need regardless of what anyone's opinion may be. If someone says "Hey I need help", as a human you do it. In situations where emergency help is spread thin, all that "stay out of peoples way" stuff is out the door imo. Just use common sense. If a chaser doesn't know about the hazards they may face they probably shouldn't be chasing. It really just depends on the situation...

 

[joel ewing]

My chase partner Doren Berge and I helped a rancher near O'Neill Nebraska clear debris immed. after a huge EF-3 hit his feedlot, and I always felt really good about doing so. The family's home had been moved off of their foundation, and I believe just having us there gave the family a calming effect.....it allowed them to focus some of their attention to some helpful strangers rather than continue to go nuts within their own family. Fast forward now to last June 16th near Norfolk, Nebraska Pilger....(pron. Pill-Gher) and it's devastation during the historic twin-EF-4's event. We were driving and filming and once again saw feedlot that had taken a direct hit. We were right on the tails of the tornadoes, which were still going very strong, and we discussed whether to stop or to keep driving and filming the event. We opted to keep driving. I have regretted this decision every single day since. I heard over 300 of the cattle there were killed...the place was hit hard. And what keeps me up nights is thinking how I would feel if I were trapped under debris, barely able to breathe...praying that someone would hurry along and free me. In my life I have literally almost drowned 3 times, the first time in a river in 1974, the most recent was 2 yrs. ago in Costa Rica. I came so close to death that I left my body one time. It's a terrible way to die. Having those experiences, never again will I not stop and see if anybody is trapped under debris....human or animal.

 

[Jason Foster]

Always been the kind of person to step-up to aid someone, defend someone, or otherwise, especially in absence of others. Just had a situation the other day here in St.Petersburg, FL where (later learned) a girlfriend/boyfriend had a little argument at which some point she must have knock the guy out. I only heard some saying something about 911 and when I turned and took a few steps a guy was laid out on the park's road and appearred unconscious. No one was helping and it took me a minute to grasp the situation, but I immediately dialed 911 and went to help. In the end he was fine, just a little spat and a little drinking in the early afternoon.

In chase situations however, it is more the case that you are fully engaged in an emergency situation. As a standard practise I try to remove myself from that situation since I possess very little training and have different objectives. Of course, respect for human life is paramont and therefore I will always render help if and when I can, but I won't claim I do not try to avoid it. This is much more of a practise with hurricanes where I try to be out before the rescuers come in. I'd just be in the way. Of course, I have in some cases stayed or even returned to document aftermath, but usually after the majority of triage and such is rendered. But then I also did do Red Cross training many moons ago, which I'm grossly out-of-date on.

 

[Jarod Carlisle]

That is a really helpful list! Are there any other items chasers should have with them in case they come upon serious damage & casualties?

I carry tire repair kit, collapsible 4 way lug wrench, portable air compressor, leather gloves, flares, flashlight, emergency ponchos, emergency blankets, waterproof matches, blaze orange safety vests, rain suit, tow rope, first aid kit, jumper cables, pump siphon, a small saw and a small tool kit.

 

[calvinkaskey]

As a follower of CHRIST I feel it is my duty to help out whenever someone is hurt.

 

[Drew Terril]

As a follower of CHRIST I feel it is my duty to help out whenever someone is hurt.

To be fair, even after I walked away from faith for a time, I would have felt obligated to help. I know a lot of people who have never been a follower of any religion who were still decent enough human beings to help others.