CERT Study Guide Flashcards

Flashcards created from the CERT Study Guide to aid in exam preparation.

Emergency Management

Coordinated approach to preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Provide medical care and transportation during emergencies.

Fire and Rescue

Respond to fires and help with search and rescue tasks.

Human Services

Provide support for emotional, social, and practical needs post-disaster.

Law Enforcement

Ensure public safety and enforce laws.

Public Health Services

Protect community health and promote sanitation.

Public Works

Maintain and restore critical infrastructure like roads and utilities.

Multiple-use Buildings

Structures serving more than one function, like a school and shelter.

Non-Structural Hazards

Objects that can cause injury but are not part of a building's structure.

Mitigation

Actions to reduce risks before disasters happen.

ICS (Incident Command System)

A standardized structure for emergency response.

FEMA

Federal agency that coordinates disaster response and supports CERT training.

Team Leader

Coordinates the CERT response at the scene.

Operations

Manages direct response activities during an emergency.

Planning

Gathers information, documents actions, and forecasts needs.

Logistics

Provides supplies and tracks equipment and personnel.

NIMS (National Incident Management System)

Federal system for managing emergencies.

Trauma

A serious or critical bodily injury caused by accidents or violence.

Arterial bleeding

Bright red blood that spurts from a wound; most serious type of external bleeding.

Venous bleeding

Dark red blood that flows steadily from a wound; can be life-threatening.

Capillary bleeding

Slow, oozing blood from small vessels; least severe type of bleeding.

Tourniquet

A device applied tightly above a severe bleeding wound to stop blood flow.

Hypothermia

A dangerous drop in body temperature due to prolonged exposure to cold.

Frostbite

Freezing of skin and underlying tissues; affected area becomes numb.

Lung

Major organ of the respiratory system responsible for gas exchange.

Bronchus

One of two large tubes that carry air into each lung.

Larynx

Voice box involved in breathing and producing sound.

Pharynx

Throat; part of both the respiratory and digestive systems.

Nasal Cavity

Main external opening for the respiratory system.

Trachea

Windpipe; connects the pharynx and larynx to the lungs.

Superficial burn

Burn affecting only the outer layer of skin; also called a first-degree burn.

Partial Thickness burn

Second-degree burn affecting both outer and underlying layers of skin.

Full Thickness burn

Third-degree burn affecting all layers of skin and possibly tissue below.

Heat Exhaustion

Condition from excessive heat exposure, marked by heavy sweating.

Heat Stroke

Severe heat-related illness that can be fatal without immediate treatment.

Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift

Method used to open a victim's airway by tilting the head back.

Jaw-Thrust Maneuver

Airway-opening technique used when a spinal injury is suspected.

Triage

The process of sorting victims based on the severity of their injuries.

Immediate (Red Tag)

Victims with life-threatening but treatable injuries.

Delayed (Yellow Tag)

Victims with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Minor (Green Tag)

Walking wounded with minor injuries.

Deceased (Black Tag)

Victims who are dead or have unlikely survival.

RPM

Respiration, Perfusion, Mental status; used to evaluate victims.

Capillary Refill

A test of perfusion where refill time should be less than 2 seconds.

Shock

Life-threatening condition caused by inadequate blood flow to organs.

Treatment Area

Designated location for further care or transport of victims.

Walking Wounded

Victims who can move on their own, usually assigned to the Minor category.

Open Airway

Ensuring nothing is blocking a person's ability to breathe.

Positioning Airway

Placing a victim in a posture that maintains a clear, open airway.

Control Bleeding

Applying direct pressure, elevation, or tourniquet to stop blood flow.

Treat for Shock

Laying victim down, elevating feet, and maintaining body temperature.

Tagging

Labeling victims with color-coded tags based on triage category.