Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
-
Since the withdrawal of Royal Air Force Puma helicopters from Belize in 1994, the role of casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) of British military personnel, Belizean citizens and foreign nationals throughout the country, has passed to 25 Flight Army Air Corps, currently equipped with Gazelle helicopters. Details of casualty evacuations during 1995 and 1996 have been collated and analysed in order to provide information on casualty types, and the locations from which casualties have been evacuated, during this 2 year period. The data so obtained might be used to ensure the future provision of an appropriately equipped CASEVAC helicopter, or to highlight common causes of significant morbidity in British troops deployed to Belize.
-
With the development of British Army doctrine it is necessary to review the concepts underlying medical support to the modern battlefield. In particular, the provision of timely and balanced resuscitation to the high intensity battle is an issue requiring an understanding of both the tactical and the clinical demands. The wholesale application of civilian techniques and approaches to trauma management is not possible given the austerity of the battlefield clinical environment. ⋯ Specifically, the introduction of a triad approach to trauma management is offered. The triad comprises readily available Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) skills, Surgical Resuscitation deployed forward and the provision of Field Intensive Care. Such an approach would marry together the clinically ideal with the tactically.
-
There is a requirement for a basic approach to the provision of analgesia on the battlefield using the morphine autojet. Assuming there is cardiorespiratory stability and no contraindications to opioid therapy, morphine can be administered intramuscularly to a serviceman in pain on a 2 hourly basis provided that there are no adverse effects on the respiratory rate and degree of sedation. This proven simple approach in civilian practice has the potential to be incorporated into Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) and Combat Training Regimens (CTR).
-
Medical Support Troop Bravo (MST Bravo) provides third line medical support for the United Kingdom Battle Group currently deployed on operation Grapple 2 in Bosnia Herzegovina. Standing operating procedures for the initial assessment and resuscitation of all casualties are based on the protocols taught on Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) courses. ⋯ This has led to an appraisal of CBA removal and the identification of a drill for rapid, safe and reliable means of undressing without jeopardy to the integrity of the spine. The method is described.