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The principles of military medical care are applicable to care in civilian mass casualties, in remote settings, for tactical medicine, and in bioterrorism incidents.
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Advanced trauma life support approaches are well applied in a hospital setting, but in combat, how do you function without ancillary staff? What do you do without ready access to a surgical team? How will you manage in the dirt, at night, while engaged with enemy forces? Chapter 7, “Bomb, Blast, and Crush Injuries,” Chapter 8, “Chemical Disasters,” and Chapter 9, “Bioterrorism,” discuss many conditions relevant to the combat situation. Table 302-1 lists the roles of medical care for combat casualties.
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Combat casualty treatment requires a properly supplied aid bag. Mission analysis, phases of care, and potential worst-case scenarios guide needed equipment. Pack the aid bag with attention to weight and volume; overpacking creates challenges locating supplies. Supplies with multiple purposes reduce weight and volume. Bundling simplifies tasks (i.e., bundle hemostatic dressings with other wound packing material and compression bandages).
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Tables 302-2 and 302-3 provide example packing lists. Building multiple, mission-specific bags or packaging extra bundled items assists with modification of bags and resupply. Every soldier is outfitted with an individual first aid kit (Table 302-4). Train on your personal equipment, maintain it, and pack smartly to ensure easy access to critical items.
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