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🚨 HEALTH ALERT — LA GUAIRA: Epidemic outbreak riskDetails ▼

📚 Get prepared. Protect your loved ones.

Immediate action guides for facing emergencies.

⚠️ Crítico · Difunde

🏥 Earthquake first aid — What NOT to do

Recommendations from Dr. Luis Castro (@cirujanolucas), Venezuelan surgeon. Share this guide.

⛔NEVER do this

💧
No water or food
Choking risk. Complicates emergency surgery.
🚫
No pulling or dragging
Spinal injury, permanent paralysis, hemorrhage.
🏗️
No removing heavy objects
Cardiac arrest from crush syndrome.
💊
No meds or alcohol
Masks symptoms, interacts with anesthesia.
📢
No shouting near victim
Consumes oxygen in the collapsed space.
🔥
No open flames
Gas leak explosion risk.
🔩
Don't remove impaled objects
Stabilize in place and pad around them.
🦴
Don't align fractures
Improvise splints, never realign.

✅Yes, do this

💬
Speak calmly
Identify yourself, ask name, pain, limbs, ask them not to exit alone.
😷
Protect airway
Wet cloth over nose/mouth. Lateral position if breathing and no cervical injury.
🩸
Control bleeding
Direct pressure with clean cloth on bleeding wounds.
🩹
Basic immobilization
Splints with boards, cardboard or magazines. Side cervical blocks with bags or rolled clothing.
🧥
Prevent shock and hypothermia
Cover with blankets, coats or plastic to preserve body heat.
📍
Mark location
Chalk, cloth or tape. Note time of discovery and initial condition.

Source: Dr. Luis Castro (@cirujanolucas on Instagram) — Venezuelan surgeon.

🏥 UrgenCare

Emergency medical guides

Medical protocols for rescuers and volunteers. Courtesy of UrgenCare Venezuela.

Método Trueta

1. Open wounds: Trueta Method

① Wash with plenty of clean water (6+ liters). Forget peroxide and alcohol.
② Seal with the cleanest cloth you can find to isolate from contaminated air.
③ Immobilize with improvised splint. Reduces pain, inflammation and bacterial spread.
Control de hemorragias

2. Bleeding control

🩸 Direct pressure with gauze or clean cloth.
⚠️ If cloth soaks through, do NOT remove. Add another on top.
🚨 Last resort: tourniquet. Note the exact time and seek help.
Rescate pulmonar

3. Respiratory rescue

😷 Protect yourself first. Wear mask or cloth. Concrete dust damages your lungs.
💬 Speak calmly. Anxiety drowns them. Help them breathe slowly.
👁️ Monitor breathing. If stops, apply CPR or call for help.
Síndrome de aplastamiento

4. Crush syndrome

⚠️ Compressed muscle for hours → necrosis → releases potassium (arrhythmias) and myoglobin (kidney damage).
🫀 Potassium is toxic to the heart. Requires ECG.
🧪 Needs active irrigation and blood value monitoring.
Vacuna antitetánica

5. Tetanus vaccine

💉 Debris = wood, dirt, metals. Risk of tetanus.
⏰ If wounded and >5 years since last dose: vaccinate within 48 hours.
🤰 Pregnant: from 27 weeks.
Potabilización de agua

6. Water purification

① Filter through clean cloth if cloudy.
② Boil for 1 minute (3 at altitude).
③ Chlorinate: 2 drops unscented bleach per liter. Wait 30 min.
④ Store in clean sealed containers.

Courtesy: UrgenCare Venezuela · Telemedicine 24/7: 0212-822-1262

Citizen response guides

Practical protocols based on international rescue standards, adapted for volunteers and citizens during the emergency.

"Disorganization is costing lives. Without clear directives, citizens must organize under strict international protocols."

🚨 Ground zero (collapse area)

DO NOT bring food or clothes. Only:

  • 🔧 Shovels, picks, heavy ropes, buckets
  • 🔦 Flashlights with batteries, cutting tools
  • 😷 Masks, leather gloves
  • 📦 Body bags
  • 👨‍⚕️ Certified rescuers and trauma medical teams

🏠 Support zone (aid centers & shelters)

Where inexperienced civilians are most useful:

  • 🥫 Non-perishable food (NO mayonnaise)
  • 💧 Drinking water
  • 🛏️ Blankets, mats, clean sheets
  • 🧼 Hygiene kits: soap, toilet paper, diapers
  • 🧠 General doctors, nurses, psychologists

3 steps to donate effectively

1️⃣
Collection
Everything to aid centers
2️⃣
Sorting
Separate food from chemicals
3️⃣
Distribution
Tools→ground zero, food→shelters

⚠️ Coordinated transport: If you have a truck, don't drive to the disaster zone on your own. Coordinate with an aid center for trips with cleared routes.

⚠️

During an earthquake

  1. 1Drop to the ground immediately.
  2. 2Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table.
  3. 3Hold on firmly until the shaking stops.
🧎
DROP
🛡️
COVER
✊
HOLD ON
✅

After an earthquake

  • ✓Check yourself and others for injuries.
  • ✓Avoid damaged structures and power lines.
  • ✓If you smell gas, shut it off and evacuate.
  • ✓Use flashlights, not candles or matches.
  • ✓Listen to the radio for official instructions.
🌊

Aftershocks: the danger continues

An earthquake is not a single event. Aftershocks can last weeks or months and weaken already damaged structures.

—

Recorded aftershocks (M≥2.5, 7 días)

—

M≥4.0

—

Recorded aftershocks

📊

Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the main shock, caused by the Earth's crust readjusting.

📉

The largest aftershock is typically ~1.2 magnitudes less than the main shock.

Most occur in the first 3 days. They can continue for months at decreasing frequency.

⚠️

A structure damaged by the main shock can collapse from an aftershock. Do NOT re-enter affected buildings.

Recent seismic activity (USGS)

Loading seismic data…

Real-time data: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

🎒

Emergency kit