Exploring the next frontier while mastering ninja-like tricks is fun… until someone’s arm gets cut off with an electric sword. All Earth healers are urged to act as first responders and ensure their spacecraft or portable communication device is equipped with PEPID.
Below are some of the most common ways space can injure and kill:
High Voltage Electrocution
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- High voltage electrocution with/without LOC and/or arrest
- Myoglobinuria secondary to thermal burns
- LOC and amnesia for events prior to shock
- IV crystalloid / LR
- O2 supplement
- Establish and protect airway
Asphyxiation
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Neck trauma resulting in venous congestion, hypoxia and LOC
- Cerebral ischemia, brain damage, and then death in approx. 3-5 minutes
- Dysrhythmic and bradycardic arrest
- ABCs
- Assess need for C-spine precaution, intubation, or ventilatory support
- Psychiatric evaluation
Interstellar vacuum breech
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Decompression Sickness “The Bends”
- Spontaneous alveolar and lung rupture/collapse
- Ebullism – Boiling point of bodily fluids decrease
- Surface O2 100% NRB facemask
- Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for recompression followed by controlled decompression
Plasma gunshot wound
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Hemorrhage similar to a gunshot wound
- Expose wound and assess
- ABCDEs, Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols
- Direct pressure instead of tourniquet
Plasma stab wound
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Penetrating abdominal trauma
- If inferior vena cava was cauterized: cerebral hypoxia, respiratory and cardiac arrest
- ATLS primary and secondary survey
- Prophylactic antibiotics
Prolonged cold exposure
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
Hand Amputation
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Dress wound with gentle compression dressing soaked in sterile saline or LR
- Keep amputation site high and tight
- Wrap dismembered part with soaked gauze and place in plastic bag
- Transport in container cooled with ice
Mechanical crush injuries
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Multiple lacerations and fractures
- Internal hemorrhage
- Massive hemothorax
- Sensory deficits and flaccid paralysis
- Renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis
- Prevent hypovolemia and renal failure with IV NS at high infusion rate
Slow digestion by subterranean carnivore
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- Multiple lacerations
- Minor to moderate chemical burns
- Starvation, dehydration and hypoxia
- Apply sterile, soaked gauze
- Pain management and antibiotics
- Debridement of large bullae
Childbirth complications
Patient Problems
Priority Interventions
- ABCs and FAST
- Aggressive fluid management with crystalloids and blood transfusion
- Fundal massage
- Oxytocin
- Tranexamic Acid
Healthcare authorities recommend all Earth healers to always carry the following:
- Vacuum-sealed personal protective equipment (This excludes fan shirts, themed socks, and prescription eyeglasses.)
- A “Do or Do Not” attitude
- An all-in-one medical and drug reference that delivers unabridged function, content and mobility – no matter where you are in the galaxy.
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