The Clock Is Ticking

Time is critical in rescue situations. Fire can spread rapidly, and the window of opportunity to make a difference is narrow. In serious injury crashes, the “Golden Hour” comes into play. Trauma victims need to get to appropriate facilities within a specific time period or face a negative outcome. Obviously those trapped in swiftwater, in the ice, or in a confined space or those exposed to bad chemicals also have a small window of opportunity for success. Perhaps the only rescue situations that aren’t as time-sensitive, though there are limits, are those created in structural collapses. There have been lives saved many days after a building has come down after an earthquake or for some other reason.