Individual preparedness in disaster response

Abstract

Sudden-onset disasters continue to cause extremely high numbers of casualties in the new millennium (Table 8.1). Having overwhelmed the local and national medical facilities, many countries have called upon international medical teams to provide surgical support as many of those rescued had suffered life-threatening injuries that required emergency surgery (Table 8.2). After earthquakes in particular, many survivors have incurred severe musculoskeletal injuries that necessitate repeated operations (Fig. 8.1).