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Subject: Critical Care Nursing

Topic: Describe and anticipate various type of disaster

(Natural and Manmade disaster)
Presented by:
Saira Batool Shaila
Asma Mustafa Koshailiya
Shakeela Shiza Bano
Sana Channa Sonia

Assigned by: Sir Manoor-ul-Haq

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Objectives
At the end of presentation students will be able to:
Define Disaster.
Explain each type of disaster with their cause .
Describe the effects of each type of disaster.
Describe nursing role in the management of disaster.

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 Disaster:
 “A disaster can be defined as any occurrence that can cause any damage ,ecological
disruption ,loss of human life and deterioration of health and health services on a
sufficient scale”( W.H.O )

 “An ecological disruption exceeding the adjustment capacity of

community(Lechaat 1979)

 According to United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction;

“A serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society involving
widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, which
exceeds the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own
resources”

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Classification Of Disaster
There are two type of disasters
Natural Disaster
Man Made Disaster(Anthropogenic)
Natural Disaster:
“ An act of nature of such magnitude as to create catastrophic situation in which day
–to day pattern of life is disrupted and people are plugged into helplessness and
suffering.(Lechaat 1979).
Natural disaster are catastrophic events caused by natural processes or phenomenon of
the earth that result in significant damage to life , property and environment . These
events occur without direct human intervention and are often sudden , through some
may develop gradually over time .
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 Types Of Natural Disaster

 Earthquakes
 Floods
 Drought
 Fog
 Lightning
 Heat & Cold waves
 Natural Fires
 River & Sea Erosion

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 Earthquakes
An earthquake is the shaking of the surface of Earth
resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere
that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes may also be
referred to as quakes, tremors, or temblors. The word
tremor is also used for non-earthquake seismic rumbling.
Cause Of Earthquakes:
The Main Causes of Earthquakes are :
 Movement of Tectonic Plates
Volcanic Eruptions
Underground Explosions
Induced Quaking (Human Activities), etc.
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 Earthquake’s Effects

The destructive effects of earthquake are:

Collapse of structures
Submergence of coastal parts
 Landslides
 Loss of human lives
 Fire
Flash floods
 Tsunami

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 Flood
Sometimes a water resource (river, lake or pond) gets flushed with too much water.
Unusually heavy rain sometimes causes floods. When there is too much water, it may
overflow beyond its normal limits. This water then spreads over land, flooding it.
Extreme flooding can also be caused by a tsunami or a large storm that causes a storm
surge.
Human Causes
There are following human causes of floods:
Heavy Rainfall
Collapsed Dams
Snowmelt
Deforestation

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 Flood’s Impacts
There are following impacts of floods
Loss of Life and injury
Destruction of Property
Agricultural Loss
Ecosystem Disruption
Soil Erosion
Loss of community and social networks
Increased Poverty
Increased Vulnerability

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 Drought
Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall , leading to a shortage of water .
It affects ecosystems ,agriculture , economies and human health .Drought can lasts for
months or even years and their severity can vary depending on geography , climate ,
pattern , and the preparedness of the affected regions.
Causes
There are following causes of Drought
Natural Causes
Low Rainfall
Climate Pattern
Global Warming
Ocean Temperature Changes
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 Human Induced Causes:
There are following human induced causes that may cause of drought
Deforestation
Overuse of water resources
Poor water management
Urbanization
Population Growth
Monoculture Farming

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 Drought’s Impacts
Drought can lead to decreased water quantity and quality
 Increased incidence of illness or disease
 Increased mortality rates
Adverse mental health outcomes as livelihoods are challenged.
During drought conditions, fuels for wildfire, such as grasses and trees, can dry out
and become more flammable.

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Fog

“Fog is essentially a cloud at ground level that causes a reduction in visibility to

less than 1000 meters.”
 It becomes a much more noticeable thick fog when the visibility drops below 180
m, while severe disruption to transport occurs when the visibility falls below 50 m
over a wide area (referred to as dense fog).
Cold air, dry at the surface while rain is falling through it evaporates and causes
the dew point to rise. This saturation forms fog.

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 Fog’s Impacts:

Fog can have various effects on humans including:

Respiratory problems : Fog can exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma,
bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Reduced visibility: Fog can reduce visibility, leading to accidents, injuries, and
fatalities, especially on roads and in aviation.
Disorientation and confusion: Dense fog can cause disorientation, confusion,
and panic, particularly in unfamiliar environments.
Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to fog can lead to hypothermia, especially in
cold climates.
Psychological impacts: Fog can create a sense of isolation, anxiety, and unease,
particularly in people with claustrophobia or anxiety disorders.
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 Lightening
Lightning is a giant spark of electricity in the atmosphere
between clouds, the air, or the ground. In the early stages of
development, air acts as an insulator between the positive and
negative charges in the cloud and between the cloud and the
ground.
Causes:
In the early stages of development, air acts as an insulator
between the positive and negative charges in the cloud and
between the cloud and the ground.
When the opposite charges build up enough, this insulating
capacity of the air breaks down and there is a rapid
discharge of electricity that we know as lightning.
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Lightening’s Effects:

Common injuries caused by lightning include:

Muscle pains
Broken bones
Cardiac arrest
Confusion
Hearing loss
Seizures
Burns
Behavioral changes
Ocular cataracts
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Heat and cold Waves

Heat waves and cold waves are extreme weather events that can have
significant impacts on human health, infrastructure and the
environment.
Heat waves occur when temperatures rise above average for an
extended period of time, while cold waves occur when temperatures
fall below average for an extended period of time.

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Causes of heat and cold waves

Heat waves form when a high-pressure area in the upper atmosphere strengthens and
remains over a region for several days up to several weeks. This traps heat near the
earth's surface.
It is usually possible to forecast heat waves, thus allowing the authorities to issue a
warning in advance.
Cold waves generally are capable of occurring at any geological location and are
formed by large cool air masses that accumulate over certain regions, caused by
movements of air streams.
Cold waves affect much larger areas than blizzards, ice storms, and other winter

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Impacts of heat and cold waves:

Exposure to heatwaves can cause

Edema
Syncope
Cramping
Heat exhaustion and the feared heat stroke, that can lead to death.
Extreme cold can have significant impacts on cardiovascular and
neurological health, raising concerns for conditions ranging from heart
attacks to brain strokes.5 Jan 2024

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 Man Made Disaster(Anthropogenic)
“Man made disaster have an element of human intent , negligence or error involving a
failure of a man-made system as opposed to natural disaster resulting from the
natural hazards.”
Man made disaster are hazards caused by human actions or inaction . They are
contrasted with natural hazards . Man made disaster may adversely affect humans ,
other organisms and ecosystems . The frequency and severity of hazards are key
elements in some risk analysis methodologic.

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Types of Anthropogenic Disaster

There are following types of man made disasters:

 Terrorist Activities
 Wars & Riots
 Vehicular Accidents
 Explosions
 Pollution – Air, Water, Noise
 Sabotage Activities
 Bio-terrorism
 Dam failure
 Hazardous substance accident

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 Terrorism
Terrorism is a term used to describe violence or other harmful acts committed (or
threatened) against civilians by groups or persons for political , nationalist or religious
goals.
As a type of unconventional warfare , terrorism means to weakens or supplant existing
political land scape through capitulation acquiescence or radicalization as opposed to
subversion or direct military actions.
Causes
Precursors to terrorist act includes
Poverty
Persecution
Lack of human rights
Religious and ethical discrimination
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Terrorism Effects

The effects of terrorism are far reaching and devastating impacting

individuals , communities and societies as whole .Some of most
significant effects includes:
Loss of life and injury
Fear and Trauma
Economic Disruption
Political instability
Global Insecurity

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 War and Riots

War Riots
A state of armed conflict between nations , A violent and uncontrolled disturbance
states or societies. often involving a group of people .
A prolonged and large scale fight or A sudden and intense outbreak of
struggle often involving violence , violence often in response to a perceived
destruction and mortality. injustice , political grievance or social
A conflict that is often characterized by issues.
extreme violence , aggression and A disturbance that is typically
destruction of property. characterized by looting vandalism arson
and physical clashes between people and
groups
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 Cont…..

Note that while both war and riots

involve violence and conflict war
typically involves organized groups and
is often fought between nations and states
whereas riots are typically more
spontaneous and involve smaller group
of people . Additionally war is often
characterized by clear political or
ideological objectives whereas riots may
be more driven by emotional or social
factors .
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Causes of riots and war

War Riots
Territorial disputes Social injustice
Political Differences Natural disaster
Economic interests Police Brutality
Revenge Extremism
Resources competition Political unrest

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 Effects

War Riots
Humanitarian crisis Property damage and vandalism
Displacement and refuge Injury and loss of life
Destruction of infrastructure Social an d economic disruption
Human rights violations Media attention and publicity
Social and cultural disruption Curfews and restrictions
Global instability Community fear and trauma

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 Vehicles Accidents
A vehicle accident is : "A crash or collision involving one or more vehicles, resulting in
damage, injury, or loss of life.
"This includes:-
Car accidents
Truck accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Bicycle accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Train accidents
Plane accidents
Boat accidents
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 Causes and effects

Vehicle accidents can be caused by various factors such as:-

Human error (e.g., reckless driving, distraction)
 Mechanical failure
Weather conditions
 Road conditions
 Animal-related incidents
Vehicles accidents can result in:-
Property damage
Physical injury
Fatality
Emotional trauma
 Economic loss
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 Explosions

“An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in a

sudden and violent manner, often accompanied by a loud noise,
shockwave, and destruction or damage.”
This can occur due to various factors such as:
Chemical reactions (e.g., bomb blasts, gas leaks)
 Physical changes (e.g., bursting pipes, tire blowouts)
 Nuclear reactions (e.g., atomic bombs)
 Volcanic eruptions
Cosmic events (e.g., supernovae)

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Effects of Explosions

Explosions can have various effects, including:

Property damage
 Injuries
 Loss of life
 Environmental harm
 Panic and chaos

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 Role of nurse in Disaster Management

Nurses play a vital role in natural and manmade disasters management, including:
Preparation: Developing emergency plans, conducting drills, and maintaining
disaster supplies.
Response: Providing immediate care, triaging patients, and coordinating evacuation
efforts.
Relief: Offering physical and emotional support, administering medications, and
wound care.
Recovery: Facilitating rehabilitation, promoting health education, and supporting
community rebuilding.
Risk reduction: Participating in community awareness, promoting disaster
preparedness, and mitigating potential hazards.
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Cont…
Communication: Providing critical information, emotional
support, and counseling to affected individuals and families.
Flexibility: Adapting to changing situations, prioritizing tasks, and
managing resources efficiently.
Documentation: Maintaining accurate records, tracking patient
care, and facilitating data-driven decision-making
Self-care: Managing their own physical and emotional well-being
to maintain effectiveness in high-stress environments.
Nurses are essential in disaster management, providing critical care,
support, and coordination to affected communities.
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 Scenario 1
You are nurse in a hospital when a massive earthquake strike. The building shakes
violently and the power goes out . You notice structural damage in some parts of
hospital .As you move to assist patients you hear a loud noise and see part of ceiling
collapses. Then what is first action you should take in this scene as a nurse?
 Evacuate patient immediately even if unsafe
 Activate the emergency response system and ensure safety first
 Check medical equipment for damage
 Continue providing care to patient without moving them

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 Scenario 2
A community hospital is preparing for an unexpected flood . As a nurse you are part of
team that must evacuate patients from low lying areas . During this process one of your
patient is an elderly woman with limited mobility , becomes anxious due to high level of
water .so now what is your primary responsibility during evacuation process?
 Comfort the patient and stay with her until she feels calm
 Ensure the patients are safely evacuated using wheelchair
 Move on towards other patients as someone else take over
 Inform the patient’s family about situation

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 Scenario 3
You are working at a camp in an open field when the sudden thunderstorm
approaches .The sky darkens and there is lighting striking nearby. Some camps are still
outside and a few seek shelter under the tree. Now what advice should you give to
people during lightening?
 Continue shelter under the tree as it offer some protection
 Lie flat on the ground in an open area
 Move indoor or to hard toped vehicle as quickly as possible
 Stand close to each other to avoid feeling isolation

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 Scenario 4
During powerful storm you are working in small rural clinic .The storm has damaged
roads and disrupted communication making impossible for outside help to reach your
area . Several patients arrive with injuries from flying debris . What is the most
important initial step in managing these patients?
 Asses and prioritize patient based on sensitivity of their injuries
 Wait for backup medical team arrive before providing care
 Distribute antibiotics to prevent infections
 Call for evacuation for all injured patients

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 Scenario 5

A prolonged drought in a rural area has caused water shortage and in rise in
malnutrition cases . You are working as community nurse to address the health impact
of drought .What is long term strategy should you prioritize to prevent further
malnutrition in that community?
 Distribute bottle water and ready to eat meals
 Educate the community about rain water harvesting and sustainable agriculture
 Refer the patient to nearby city hospital for treatment
 Increased the number of temporary clinics in that area

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References

Lechaat .M.F 1976 The epidemiology of disaster , Proceeding of the Royal

Society of medicine
Medical and Surgical nursing 12th edition
https://www.google.comDisasterDefinitiandTypes
www.pinterest.com

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