Stampede Survival

This case focuses on the response to traumatic asphyxiation following a stampede at a county fair, leading to the compression of a 26-year-old female against a wall. The scenario highlights the need for rapid trauma assessment in a resource-limited rural hospital with limited critical care capacity. The patient presents with respiratory distress, diminished lung sounds, bruising, and petechiae, consistent with traumatic asphyxiation. Key interventions include airway management, intubation, placement of chest tubes, and initiation of blood transfusion to manage her respiratory and hemodynamic status. The patient also shows signs of a hemothorax, necessitating emergency interventions and stabilization before transfer to a trauma center. The case emphasizes early recognition of traumatic asphyxiation, resource management, and coordination with higher levels of care, while also addressing the complexities of triaging additional patients from a mass casualty event.