In today’s WaPo, a most interesting look at modern battlefield medicine. Those of us who have been issued some of this gear or used it in training won’t be surprised, but for those who haven’t been in the military (or haven’t been in for a while) I think you’ll be impressed:
“The improvements in the care of casualties that have come out of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars almost all involve hemorrhage, the medical term for bleeding. They include better ways to stop it, keep it from restarting, and reverse it by restoring blood to the circulation (an option not available to Pare). They Improvements in treating hemorrhage are the main reason survival of battlefield casualties is so much greater now than in the past. …
“The conclusion: Medical treatment has gotten better over the nine-year course of the wars [sic].”
Be sure to click the link on the detailed contents of a medic’s bag. (In my opinion, the M4 might be the most important item in the medic or corpsman’s kit– you know, it’s just good preventative medicine.)
It’s also worth noting that many of these basic supplies are easily obtained from medical supply companies. Preppers and like-minded folks take note! I myself carry an IBD and a tourniquet wherever I go.
