Physics of Trauma
This is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1 to 44.
traumatic (or unintentional) injuries
This specific collision in a crash happens when a passenger's internal organs strike the inside walls of their body cavities
third collision
Finding this pattern of damage on a vehicle's windshield should make an EMT immediately suspect head, face, and neck injuries
'starred' or broken windshield
This term describes the actual permanent cavity or path left behind where a bullet destroys body tissue.
permanent cavitation
A fall from a height greater than this many feet (or 3 meters) qualifies as a significant mechanism of injury
10 feet
In the formula for Kinetic Energy, this variable is squared, meaning it has a much larger effect on injury than mass.
velocity (or speed)?
This specific collision in a vehicle crash happens when the occupant's body impacts the inside of the car
the second collision
If an unrestrained driver's knees strike and crush the lower dashboard, an EMT should highly suspect injuries to these three skeletal areas.
pelvis, hip, and femur
This type of blast injury is caused purely by the pressure overpressure wave itself hitting the body
primary blast injury
An EMT should immediately classify a patient as critical and transport if they find a dangerous MOI, an altered mental status, or any threat to these
ABCs (Airway, Breathing, and Circulation)?
According to Newton's Second Law, it's not speed alone that causes injury, but this sudden change in velocity
acceleration or deceleration
This specific impact type is the most common cause of whiplash-type neck injuries
rear-end crash
These three injury types are the most classic results of a passenger striking the vehicle interior during the second collision.
lower extremity fractures, flail chest, and head trauma
These types of air-filled organs are the most vulnerable to damage from a primary blast pressure wave
hollow organs (such as ears and lungs)
This level of trauma center is the highest, meaning it can handle every aspect of advanced trauma care 24/7
Level I trauma center
This type of trauma occurs when an object pierces the skin and directly enters body tissues
penetrating trauma
This is the most common life-threatening event or cause of death during a rollover crash sequence
partial or complete ejection from the vehicle
This common supplemental safety feature can cause minor localized facial and arm abrasions or eyeglass injuries when it deploys
airbag
This category of blast injury occurs when flying debris or shrapnel strikes the patient
secondary blast injury
The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) calculates survival probability using SBP, Respiratory Rate, and this standard mental status scale
the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?
This type of trauma causes injury from physical forces applied to the body without breaking the skin
blunt trauma
These types of crashes have very high death rates because there is minimal structural space or 'crumple zone' on the side of the vehicle
lateral (or side-impact) crashes
Wearing a seat belt too low can cause hip dislocations, while wearing it too high can cause injuries to these structures
internal (or abdominal) organs
This category of blast injury happens when a patient is physically thrown by the force of an explosion against a hard object
tertiary blast injury
Trauma to the neck region requires close monitoring for this condition, characterized by air crackling under the skin
subcutaneous emphysema