Sof Combat Casualty Care Handbook

This handbook was previously distributed as a supplement to the Journal of Special Operations Medicine. The realm of special operations forces (SOF) medicine is a unique and ever-changing one that demands specialized training for our joint SOF. Managing trauma on today’s battlefield presents a dynamic array of challenges where limited resources can be rapidly overwhelmed. An austere environment, hostile gunfire, and delays in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) are the norms for the special operations medic. The material in this handbook was gleaned from special operations medics operating in the Global War on Terrorism and other operational environments. It should not be viewed as a substitute for the professional training and judgment of special operations medics; rather, it is designed to be a hip-pocket reference on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) of SOF-relevant tactical combat casualty care. Key Lessons Ninety percent of combat loss of life occurs before casualties ever reach a military treatment facility (MTF); treatment prior to casualty evacuation is vital. Litter carries are fundamental for good patient care; they prevent further injury and get individuals off target as soon as possible. Rehearse manual carry methods prior to deployment. Every special operations warfighter should carry a tourniquet and be thoroughly familiar with its application. When managing multiple casualties, apply the principles of triage in classifying the priority of treatment and evacuation. Rehearse and employ all of the mechanics of CASEVAC from the point of injury to the handover at a MTF. This handbook provides a number of considerations when employing medical support to SOF in combat. The challenges are numerous, but the special operations medic must deliver medical care to save Soldiers’ lives. The collection of TTP in this handbook will enhance the medic’s ability to determine the optimum method to deliver casualty survival assistance.

This handbook was previously distributed as a supplement to the Journal of SpecialOperations Medicine. The realm of special operations forces (SOF) medicine is a uniqueand ever-changing one that demands specialized training for our joint SOF. Managingtrauma on today's battlefield presents a dynamic array of challenges where limitedresources can be rapidly overwhelmed. An austere environment, hostile gunfire, and delaysin casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) are the norms for the special operations medic.The material in this handbook was gleaned from special operations medics operating in theGlobal War on Terrorism and other operational environments. It should not be viewed as asubstitute for the professional training and judgment of special operations medics; rather, itis designed to be a hip-pocket reference on the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) ofSOF-relevant tactical combat casualty care.

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) has saved hundreds of lives during our nation's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 90 percent of combat fatalities occur before a casualty reaches a medical treatment facility. Therefore, the prehospital phase of care is needed to focus on reducing the number of combat deaths. However, few military physicians have had training in this area and, at the onset of hostilities, most combat medics, corpsmen, and pararescue personnel in the U.S. military have been trained to perform battlefield trauma care through civilian-based trauma courses. These courses are not designed for the prehospital combat environment and do not reflect current practices in the area of prehospital care. TCCC was created to train Soldiers and medical personnel on current best practices for medical treatment from the point of injury to evacuation to Role 3 facilities

Over 380 total pages ... 1. FULL TITLE: U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND's TACTICAL TRAUMA PROTOCOLS (TTPs) TACTICAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS (TMEPs) RECOMMENDED DRUG LIST (RDL) CANINE TACTICAL COMBAT CASUALTY CARE For SPECIAL OPERATIONS ADVANCED TACTICAL PARAMEDICS (SO-ATPs) - December 2016 CONTENTS By SECTION: SECTION 1: TACTICAL TRAUMA PROTOCOLS SECTION 2: TACTICAL MEDICAL EMERGENCY PROTOCOLS SECTION 3: RECOMMENDED DRUG LIST SECTION 4: CANINE COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (C-TCCC) SECTION 5: BURN QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE SECTION 6: NERVE CHARTS 2. FULL TITLE: Tactical Combat Casualty Care Handbook, Version 5 - May 2017 CONTENTS By CHAPTER: Chapter 1. Tactical Combat Casualty Care Overview Chapter 2. Tactical Combat Casualty Care Phases of Care Chapter 3. Tactical Combat Casualty Care Medical Equipment Chapter 4. MARCH/PAWS Treatment Algorithms Chapter 5. Tactical Combat Casualty Care-All Combatants Chapter 6. Tactical Combat Casualty Care-Medical Provider Appendix A. Tactical Combat Casualty Care Card Appendix B. Tactical Combat Casualty Care After Action Report Appendix C. Medical Triage Categories Appendix D. Medical Evacuation Precedence Categories Appendix E. 9-Line Request With MIST Report Appendix F. Prolonged Field Care Appendix G. Drug Reference Guide Appendix H. Medical Transition Guidelines in a Tactical Environment Appendix I. Medical Planning Functions Appendix J. Tactical Combat Casualty Care Background Appendix K. References

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) has saved hundreds of lives during our nation's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 90 percent of combat fatalities occur before a casualty reaches a medical treatment facility. Therefore, the prehospital phase of care is needed to focus on reducing the number of combat deaths. However, few military physicians have had training in this area and, at the onset of hostilities, most combat medics, corpsmen, and pararescue personnel in the U.S. military have been trained to perform battlefield trauma care through civilian-based trauma courses. These courses are not designed for the prehospital combat environment and do not reflect current practices in the area of prehospital care. TCCC was created to train Soldiers and medical personnel on current best practices for medical treatment from the point of injury to evacuation to Role 3 facilities.

A decade of intense combat in two theaters has taught us many lessons about what works and what does not in the effort to accomplish that all-important mission of saving lives in battle. A severely injured Soldier today has about twice the likelihood of surviving his wounds compared to Soldiers in wars as recent as Vietnam. That progress is the result of many things: better tactics and weapons, better body armor and helmets, better trained and fitter Soldiers. But, the introduction of tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) throughout the Army has certainly been an important part of that improvement. TCCC is fundamentally different from civilian care. It is the thoughtful integration of tactics and medicine, but to make it work takes a different set of skills and equipment, and every Soldier and leader needs to understand it and practice it. This handbook is the result of years of careful study of the care of wounded Soldiers, painstaking research by medics and physicians, and the ability of leaders at all levels to see and understand the lessons being learned and the willingness to make the changes in equipment, training, and doctrine needed to improve the performance of the Army Health System. It is the best guidance we have at the time of publication, but new information, new techniques, or new equipment will drive changes in the future. Be assured that these performance improvement efforts will continue as long as American Soldiers go in harm’s way.

Medical support for special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units is different from civilian EMS in many ways. A tactical medical provider (TMP) is charged with providing life-saving care to downed SWAT officers and taking measures to defend against criminal suspects. Mastery of these skills requires extensive, specialized tactical emergency medical services (TEMS) training and experience in the tactical environment. Designed for EMS and medical professionals of all levels of training, Tactical Medicine Essentials provides the foundation needed to create world-class TMPs. Written by an experienced team of authors from diverse backgrounds, this text covers the essential curriculum of tactical medicine, including tactical patient assessment, expedient extrication and evacuation, and self-defense skills. Important Notice: The digital edition of this book is missing some of the images or content found in the physical edition.

Military surgeons must assume a leadership role in combat casualty care in circumstances that are far less than ideal. This handbook provides much of the information needed to tackle these issues and features state-of-the-art principles and practices of forward trauma surgery as used by military physicians in far flung locations around the globe. In this volume you’ll learn such integral skills as: Tactical field care Field dressing Applying pressure dressing Treating burns Treating inhalation injuries And more! Tactical Combat Casualty Care and Wound Treatment is the most trusted and up-to-date manual offered by the Department of Defense for military medical personnel in the field.