Walking wounded
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In first aid and triage, the walking wounded are injured persons who are of a relatively low priority. These patients are conscious and breathing and usually have only relatively minor injuries; thus they are capable of walking. Depending on the resources available, and the abilities of the injured persons, these people may sometimes be used to assist treatment of more seriously injured patients, or assist with other tasks.
This is also a term used to describe high-functioning brain injury survivors because the injury isn't visible, and they appear okay. However, the disability is literally in their head. While many can perform the basic functions and effectively make it through their day, cognitive fatigue is a regular part of their daily lives. Each patient or survivor is different, and the effects of the cognitive fatigue appear based on the area of the brain that was injured. Memory, mobility, speech, thinking, balance, and fine motor skills are just some of the areas that can be affected. The energy used to perform their simple daily tasks and what would be considered regular and normal activities is substantial. While they may appear to be functioning at a normal level, the concentration needed to complete those tasks is quite exhausting. Because the walking wounded do not show any physical signs of being injured they have been left to their own means until recently. New studies and rehabilitation programs are being implemented and created.
In an emergency situation with many casualties, the walking wounded are usually the largest category of casualty.
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