J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2013 Oct;24(5):493-499.

Experiences of a Disaster Medical Assistant Team in the Chun-cheon Landslide Disaster

• Ko HJ
• Lee KH
• Kim OH
• Cha YS
• Cha KC
• Kim H
• Hwang SO
• Ahn ME
• Cho JW

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the expierience of the Wonju Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT)'s activities during the Chun-cheon landslide (AM 00:08 on July 7th, 2011) and to present damages caused by the landslide. The scale of the domestic DMAT in the landslide disaster was also assessed.
METHODS
In a retrograde study, victims were analyzed video camera recordings and medical records at the landslide disaster. Follow-up surveys of patients taken to the hospital after the Chun-cheon landslide were also analyzed. In addition, pertinence of the Wonju DMAT's activities during the rescue activity, designated by National Emergency Management, were evaluated.
RESULTS
Rescue efforts continued until 13:00 on July 7th, 2011. The number of casualties was forty one, consisted of three immediate patients, six delayed patients, nineteen minimal patients, and thirteen expectant patients. The Wonju DMAT arrived at the scene of the landslide disaster at AM 02:30 on July 7th, 2011. After installing a medical office, they categorized patients by ID-ME classification and provided medical treatment to twenty-two patients, including local residents and rescue workers.
CONCLUSION
The cause of death in the landslide disaster was suffocation. A small-scale DMAT rescue, composed on five to six people, is more proper for disaster response in a landslide disaster.

Keyword

Landslides; Medical assistance; Asphyxia

MeSH Terms

Asphyxia
Cause of Death
Classification
Disasters*
Emergencies
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Landslides*
Medical Assistance
Medical Records
Rescue Work