[Eagle5US]

OK Folks....

Lots of good ideas running around but let's try and keep things in perspective. Advocating what "we" would bring (EZ-IO's), do, and what not is great for US SOF guys as independent operators with our unique supervisory parameters and training skill set...not so great for the Combat Medic on the ground.

So-before we get TOO far / advanced in our suggestions...please consider the following:

We have increasing problems here in theater with medics working outside their scope of practice. They see a slide show in Kuwait or Baghdad on their way in and suddenly believe they have the ability to dig shrapnel out of their buddy's gut in the back of the vehicle because "they didn't think it was all that deep. The other common "explanation" is that they read about it / heard about a buddy who did it on the internet and thought since they were out of the US they had no medical regulation or supervision. "I can do anything out here that I think I need to do and you can't fault me for it".
Each medic working "independently" now has a provider assigned as their medical control.
MND-I surgeon's office has had SUCH problems with out of scope and inappropriate treatment that combat medics in the field are now under significant restrictions for meds and practice guidelines. The combat pill pack for conventional troops is gone by the wayside.
Quickclot and Hemecon dressings are being wasted in the MILLIONS of DOLLARS due to inappropriate usage (as a basic field dressing) and are being considered to be taken from the folks on the line (every soldier was supposed to have one). The hydrogel dressings are great in the clinic, not so great for use in the field because by the time they get to us it has become a slimy muddy mess. Guidance is not to use them unless they need the BURN BLANKET...which then indicates a level of severity where the contamination is going to matter very little.
So-let's stick with the basics for these guys going out in sector...

1. Stop the bleeding
- Tourniquets (I carry 8)
- Bandages / ACE wraps (Israeli dressings are the best thing out there / ACE wraps for compression over a rolled up Kerlex are a close second) I carry LOTS

2. Airway / pneumo Stuff (NPA's and OPA's are awesome yet no one has come in with one yet. ) Needle decompression is fast, easy and buys them time to get to my table. Know the signs of badness and do the deed to correct it.


As previously stated...it really does depends on what this young man's capacity is going to be...Medic or not. But let's try and keep the above things in mind when we advise him.
It is understood that folks who have been here before have experiences...and "when I was here we did this / had this available / this is what our guidance was". Try and keep in mind that the battlefield and the people / policies who run it are all fluid and things change. As does the threat being employed by the enemy and the access to advanced care.

Thanks folks-

Eagle