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Field Medicine

Combat medic procedures and battlefield medical care techniques

Field Procedures Overview

Essential medical procedures adapted for tactical and combat environments with limited resources.

Hemorrhage Control

Critical Priority

Advanced bleeding control techniques for battlefield conditions

Techniques & Procedures

  • 1Direct pressure with hemostatic agents
  • 2Pressure point control
  • 3Tourniquet application and conversion
  • 4Wound packing with gauze
  • 5Junctional hemorrhage control

Required Equipment

Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT)
Emergency Trauma Dressings (ETD)
Hemostatic agents (QuikClot, Celox)
Pressure bandages
Abdominal aortic tourniquet

Critical Considerations

  • Apply tourniquets 2-3 inches proximal to wound
  • Document time of application
  • Monitor for compartment syndrome
  • Prepare for pain management
  • Consider tactical situation for evacuation

Field Medicine Quick Reference

Essential procedures ranked by priority and tactical importance

1
Hemorrhage Control
Advanced bleeding control techniques for battlefield conditions
Critical
2
Tactical Airway Management
Airway control in combat and tactical environments
Critical
3
Chest Trauma Management
Treatment of penetrating and blunt chest injuries
High
4
Combat Shock Management
Recognition and treatment of traumatic shock
High
5
Hypothermia Prevention
Prevention and treatment of combat hypothermia
Moderate
6
Tactical Pain Management
Pain control in tactical environments
Moderate

Tactical Medical Principles

Speed vs. Thoroughness:

Balance rapid intervention with complete care based on tactical situation and evacuation timeline.

Resource Conservation:

Use minimum effective interventions to conserve supplies for multiple casualties and extended operations.

Environmental Adaptation:

Modify procedures for extreme weather, limited visibility, and hostile environments.

Training Integration:

Practice procedures under stress, with limited resources, and in simulated combat conditions.

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