There have been no shortage of catastrophic natural disasters of late, so it is a good time to review crush syndrome and the basic treatment that EMS providers need to know. While it is a relatively rare occurrence, crush syndrome is something that you may one day encounter. It can be expected following any event where patients are trapped for a length of time, especially following a natural or man-made disaster.

Providing care in a timely manner, and before extrication or removal of the compressing force, can be the difference between life and death. Regardless of whether you’re an EMS provider in an urban or rural setting, caring for a patient with crush syndrome could well be your next call.

A teen is carried on a stretcher after being rescued by Nepalese policemen and U.S. rescue workers from a building that collapsed during the Nepal 2015 earthquake.
A teen is