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If someone needs immediate help with lost medical devices, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Essential medical devices were lost or damaged in flooding — CPAP, oxygen, glucose monitor, wheelchair, hearing aids, etc.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Critical device lost? Go hospital if oxygen needed. Call supplier for replacement.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Device submerged, wet, or left behind during evacuation.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Person depends on oxygen, CPAP, feeding pump, or powered mobility.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Battery backup exhausted during prolonged outage.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Medical devices are not optional for many people — oxygen concentrators, CPAP, insulin pumps, and dialysis equipment sustain life.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water-damaged electrical devices pose shock and fire risk — do not plug in to test.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If oxygen-dependent and no supply — leave for hospital immediately.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Write device name, model, and settings from memory or photo records.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Contact device supplier emergency line — disaster replacement programs exist.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Relief camps and hospitals may loan devices temporarily.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Prioritize life-sustaining devices. Relief organizations and hospitals coordinate replacement after disasters.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call hospital, device supplier, or relief hotline. Say: "Flood destroyed [device]. Patient depends on it."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if person in respiratory distress without device.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Oxygen-dependent patients without supply need emergency facility care immediately.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT plug in flood-damaged devices even if they look dry outside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT share CPAP masks without cleaning — infection risk.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT delay hospital visit if dependent on continuous oxygen.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A medical device that looks dry on the outside is safe to use after flood
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Internal corrosion and contamination cause malfunction and shock risk. Professional inspection or replacement is required.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child drowning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child was found in water, is struggling in water, or was just pulled out and is not responding normally.
Boat capsize
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Your boat has overturned or is sinking and people are in the water.
Dam breach warning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — You receive warning that a dam may fail, gates are opening, or a wall of water is coming downstream.
Flood rising water
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Water is rising around your home, road, or vehicle — from rain, river overflow, or urban flooding.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — For glucose monitoring — seek manual testing supplies or clinic visit if pump/monitor lost.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep replacement devices dry and off ground in temporary shelter.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Device settings must be reprogrammed by professionals when replaced.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Device failure during sleep (CPAP) or sudden power fault causing injury.