Civilian Medical Podcast 082 – Providing Medical Care During Civil Unrest

• Brief introduction of the episode

• Define civil unrest contexts:

  • Protests

  • Riots

  • Mass demonstrations

  • Politically charged gatherings

• Why medical care becomes complicated in these environments:

  • EMS access delays

  • Crowd density

  • Law enforcement operations

  • Environmental hazards

• Emphasize guiding principles:

  • Personal safety first

  • Situational awareness

  • Know your limits

• Unpredictable crowd movement

• Law enforcement presence and tactics

• Noise, confusion, and sensory overload

• Limited ambulance access

• Blocked streets

• Limited lighting

• Communication disruption

• Delayed EMS response

• Know entry and exit routes

• Stay on the edge of crowds

• Avoid getting boxed in

• Falls

• Being pushed or trampled

• Baton strikes

• Thrown objects

• Pain or swelling

• Deformity suggesting fracture

• Difficulty moving a limb

• Head injury symptoms:

  • Confusion

  • Vomiting

  • Severe headache

  • Loss of consciousness

• Move the person out of the crowd if possible

• Apply ice or cold pack if available

• Immobilize injured limbs with a sling or improvised splint

• For suspected head injury, keep the person still and monitor mental status

• If symptoms worsen (confusion, vomiting, severe pain), they need EMS evaluation

• Broken glass

• Debris

• Improvised projectiles

• External bleeding

• Deep cuts with visible tissue

• Embedded debris

• Bleeding that soaks through clothing

1. Put on gloves if available

2. Apply direct pressure with gauze or cloth

3. If bleeding continues, use a compression bandage

4. For severe extremity bleeding, apply a tourniquet

5. Cover the wound with a clean dressing

• Do not remove deeply embedded objects

• If the wound is large or continues bleeding, the patient needs hospital care

• Tear gas (CS)

• Pepper spray (OC)

• Smoke from fires

• Burning eyes

• Tearing

• Skin irritation

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Disorientation

1. Move the person to fresh air immediately

2. Encourage slow breathing

3. Flush eyes with copious water or saline

4. Remove contaminated clothing if heavily exposed

5. Avoid rubbing eyes or skin

• Oils, lotions, or milk can sometimes trap irritants against the skin

• Most symptoms improve within 15–30 minutes once exposure stops

• Severe breathing difficulty

• Asthma attack

• Persistent confusion

• Long hours outdoors

• Heavy clothing or gear

• Stress and exertion

• Limited access to water

• Dizziness

• Weakness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Muscle cramps

• Heavy sweating

1. Move the person out of the sun or crowd

2. Have them sit or lie down

3. Provide water or electrolyte fluids

4. Use cooling measures

   • Shade

   • Wet cloths

   • Fanning

• Confusion

• Collapse

• Hot dry skin

• Seizures

• Panic attacks

• Hyperventilation

• Acute anxiety

• Disorientation

• Rapid breathing

• Shaking

• Crying

• Feeling unable to escape the crowd

1. Move the person to a quieter, safer space

2. Speak calmly and reassure them

3. Encourage slow breathing

   • Inhale through the nose

   • Exhale slowly through the mouth

4. Help them regain orientation and control

• Nitrile gloves

• Gauze / compression bandage

• Tourniquet

• Saline or water for eye irrigation

• Simple airway mask

• Electrolyte packets

• Small flashlight

• Chest seal

• Trauma shears

• Space blanket

• Eye protection

• Basic first aid medications

• Avoid large visible medical packs

• Keep supplies distributed in pockets

• Maintain mobility

• Identify yourself if providing care

• Follow lawful orders immediately

• Avoid interfering with police operations

• Know when to disengage

• EMS may stage until scenes are secure

• Civilian aid may be temporary bridging care

• Active violence nearby

• Crowd crush risk

• Presence of chemical agents without protection

• Situations beyond training

1. Personal safety comes first

2. Simple medical skills save lives

3. Preparation matters

• Get first aid training

• Carry basic medical kits

• Learn situational awareness

Medical Gear Outfitters Use Code CIVILIANMEDICAL for 10% off

Skinny Medic – @SkinnyMedic | @skinny_medic | Medical Gear Outfitters

Bobby – @rstantontx | @bobby_wales