4. Disaster Management

Q.1. What are the emergency contact numbers of the following:

(a) Police Control Room
Ans: 100

(b) Fire brigade
Ans: 101

(c) Ambulance
Ans: 102

(d) National level single emergency number for disaster relief
Ans: 108

Q.2. What first aid will you provide in the following situations?

(a) Dog bite

Ans: First, i will wash the wound with a solution of potassium permanganate or other antiseptic, cover the wound with a clean and dry cloth and then get a doctor’s help and an injection of the anti rabies vaccine.

(b) Scratches / Bleeding
Ans: First of all, i will make the person sit or lie down comfortably,Clean the bleeding part of the body with the water and Keep it above the level of the heart.

(c) Bums/scalds
Ans: 1. Minor burns :

• Wash the injured part with water or held under the water.
• Give the victim water to drink.
• Clean the wounds by using a cotton swab soaked in an antiseptic solution.
• Don’t apply oily ointments.
• Cover wound using a dry dressings.

2. Serious burns

         (a) Give an emotional support.

         (b) Cover the wounds with sterilised cloth.

         (c) Remove jewellery, shoes etc. If it is easily possible.

         (d) Don’t touch or burst the blisters on the skin.

• Don’t apply oily ointments.
• Don’t try to remove the cloth if it is struck to the burnt skin.
• If the patient is conscious give him/her water to drink but avoid the tea or coffee or other stimulating drinks. Get medical aid at once.

(d) Snakebite
Ans: Wash the wound with the water, give an emotional support to the patient, tie a cloth tightly on the wound and get immediate medical help.

(e) Sunstroke
Ans: Take the patient to a cool place or in the shade, sponge the whole body with the cold water, place a cloth soaked in cold water on the neck, give plenty of water or liquids like sherbets or drink, if the patient feels like vomiting make him prone i.e., on his/her abdomen with the head turned to one side and then get medical help or shift the patient to a hospital.

Q.3. Write the causes of the following:

 (a) Floods:
Ans: Floods is a frequently occurring natural disaster in all parts of the world, due to excessive rains in the same place, a river overflows its banks causing a flood, the water drainage system in big cities falls short when there is heavy rainfall, resulting in choking of gutters and drainage lines and water overflows onto the roads and surrounding houses are the causes of floods.

(b) Forest fires:

Ans: (1) Forest fire is an uncontrolled fire in a forest, pasture or                                                  grasslands due to natural or man-made causes.

(2) Natural causes of forest fire can be lightning, volcanic eruptions, friction amongst branches of trees in extremely hot and dry weather.

(3) Man-made causes of forest fires are clearing land by burning which sometimes goes out of control.

(4) Campers and hikers sometimes leave behind a potential source of ignition like a lighted cigarette or a campfire.

(c) Landslides/building collapse:
Ans: (1) Landslide: Landslide causes due to erosion, slope movement in the downward direction, prolonged rainfall and seepage, vibration caused by earthquakes, deforestation and river erosion.

(2) Building collapses: Bad design, faulty construction, foundation failure or weak foundation, extraordinary loads, earthquakes, rampant and irregular constructions.

(d) Storms:
Ans: The formation of high and low air pressure belts in the atmosphere causes changes in weather resulting in strong winds or storms.

(e) Earthquakes:
Ans: Movements in the interior of the earth release tremendous amount of energy.This causes seismic waves leading to movement of the earth’s surface like tremors, shaking, cracking up.Such vibrations or quaking in the earth’s crust is known as earthquake.Man-made causes like mining, construction of big dams can also lead to earthquakes.

Q.4. Answer the following questions.

(a) What is meant by ‘disaster’?
Ans: A sudden event that causes large-scale damage to life, property and social aspects of a nation or society is called disaster.

(b) What are the types of disasters?
Ans: Natural and man-made  are the types of disasters.

(c) What is meant by disaster management’?
Ans: Taking steps to prevent disasters or making plans to face disasters etc is called disaster management.

(d) Which are the main components of disaster management?
Ans: Emergency planning and implementation of disaster management work are the main components of disaster management.

Q.5. Find out about the work of a ‘Sarpa-mitra’.

Q.6. Find out what a first aid kit / box contains.

Ans: A first aid kit / box contains a cotton roll, sterilized dressing, a pair of scissors, Dettol or Savlon, Dettol soap, adhesive plaster, tablets like Crocin, necessary medicines – painkiller, Tincture iodine, Electrolyte powder, ear/eye drops, Potassium Permanganate crystals, Bumol ointment for cramps.

Q.7. Suggest remedial measures for dealing with natural or man-made disasters.