Combat Life Saver Combat Life Saver Module 1: OverviewModule 1: Overview

OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES:

What this course is, and what it isn’tWhat this course is, and what it isn’t

Battlefield deaths due to Ground CombatBattlefield deaths due to Ground Combat

Introduce the CLS to the three stages of casualty care Introduce the CLS to the three stages of casualty care (Tactical Combat Casualty Care [ TCCC] ). (Tactical Combat Casualty Care [ TCCC] ).

Understand how to “TACTICALLY” manage a patient Understand how to “TACTICALLY” manage a patient during first phase: “Care under fire”during first phase: “Care under fire”

Combat Lifesaver: What is Combat Lifesaver: What is that?that?

The Combat Lifesaver is a Non-Medical soldier trained to provide The Combat Lifesaver is a Non-Medical soldier trained to provide battlefield emergency care as a secondary mission. He does “NOT” battlefield emergency care as a secondary mission. He does “NOT” replace the Combat Medic. His PRIMARY mission is his COMBAT replace the Combat Medic. His PRIMARY mission is his COMBAT

mission. mission.

Who is the biggest lifesaver on the battlefield today? Who is the biggest lifesaver on the battlefield today? YouYou!– The !– The Primary person at the point of wounding.Primary person at the point of wounding.

What is the “BEST” medicine on the battlefield? Motrin? An IV? What is the “BEST” medicine on the battlefield? Motrin? An IV? No! The best medicine is Superior FirepowerNo! The best medicine is Superior Firepower

What this course IS aboutWhat this course IS about

Teaching basic, practical life-saving techniques that Teaching basic, practical life-saving techniques that

all non-medical soldiers can use on the battlefieldall non-medical soldiers can use on the battlefield

Teaching not only the “what” but the “why”Teaching not only the “what” but the “why”

Breaking some bad habits that we (the medical world) Breaking some bad habits that we (the medical world)

and the Army (i.e. JRTC) have taught youand the Army (i.e. JRTC) have taught you

Keeping you doing what you are trained to doKeeping you doing what you are trained to do

Deaths due to ground Deaths due to ground combatcombat

In Iraq and Afghanistan today, if a soldier makes it to a MTF In Iraq and Afghanistan today, if a soldier makes it to a MTF (Medical Treatment Facility) alive from the “point of wounding”, (Medical Treatment Facility) alive from the “point of wounding”, they stand a 96% chance of living. TCCC doctrine has lowered they stand a 96% chance of living. TCCC doctrine has lowered

the Died Of Wounds (DOW) rate on the battlefield. the Died Of Wounds (DOW) rate on the battlefield.

90% of all combat deaths occur on the battlefield before 90% of all combat deaths occur on the battlefield before definitive treatment is reached ( example, a MTF ). Most of definitive treatment is reached ( example, a MTF ). Most of

these deaths are “Un-Avoidable”, and “CANNOT BE these deaths are “Un-Avoidable”, and “CANNOT BE PREVENTED” by you or a medic.PREVENTED” by you or a medic.

What are the major injuries we can impact at our level? Injuries What are the major injuries we can impact at our level? Injuries which soldiers are dying from that can be prevented?which soldiers are dying from that can be prevented?

WHAT CAN WE DO??WHAT CAN WE DO??

Stop severe bleeding (Hemorrhaging)Stop severe bleeding (Hemorrhaging)

Relieve Tension PneumothoraxRelieve Tension Pneumothorax

Restore airwayRestore airway

SO WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF TACTICAL COMBAT SO WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF TACTICAL COMBAT CASUALTY CARE? WHAT DO I DO IN EACH?CASUALTY CARE? WHAT DO I DO IN EACH?

TACTICAL COMBAT TACTICAL COMBAT CASUALTY CARE (TCCC)CASUALTY CARE (TCCC)

““CARE UNDER FIRE”CARE UNDER FIRE” In this phase, you are under direct hostile enemy fire, and attention In this phase, you are under direct hostile enemy fire, and attention

must be directed to overwhelming the enemy, and ONLY must be directed to overwhelming the enemy, and ONLY concentrating on major bleeding noticed concentrating on major bleeding noticed

If major bleeding is noticed on a casualty, and you can reach them If major bleeding is noticed on a casualty, and you can reach them safely, apply a tourniquet, and then rejoin the fight. If the casualty safely, apply a tourniquet, and then rejoin the fight. If the casualty can continue to fire as well, they should be encouraged to do so. can continue to fire as well, they should be encouraged to do so.

If you cannot reach the casualty because of direct hostile fire, do not If you cannot reach the casualty because of direct hostile fire, do not expose yourself. Tell soldier to lie still, and return fire. Extract him expose yourself. Tell soldier to lie still, and return fire. Extract him

when enemy is overwhelmed. when enemy is overwhelmed.

Care under fire ( cont’d)Care under fire ( cont’d) Remember you and the casualty are still Remember you and the casualty are still

under effective hostile enemy fireunder effective hostile enemy fire

Return fire as directed or required before Return fire as directed or required before providing medical treatmentproviding medical treatment

Determine if casualty is alive or dead.Determine if casualty is alive or dead.

Provide tactical care to the live casualty. Provide tactical care to the live casualty.

Only critical equipment gets secured with Only critical equipment gets secured with casualtycasualty

Care Under Fire (Cont’d)Care Under Fire (Cont’d)

Check Casualty for Bleeding ( If you are Check Casualty for Bleeding ( If you are able to do so at this time– this should able to do so at this time– this should take no more than 45 secs-1 minute)take no more than 45 secs-1 minute)

If life-threatening bleeding from an If life-threatening bleeding from an extremity is present, then place a extremity is present, then place a Tourniquet on immiediately (USE THE Tourniquet on immiediately (USE THE CASUALTIES TOURNIQUET FROM HIS CASUALTIES TOURNIQUET FROM HIS IFAP PACK)IFAP PACK)

TACTICAL FIELD CARE TACTICAL FIELD CARE PHASEPHASE

In this phase, direct hostile enemy fire has been In this phase, direct hostile enemy fire has been suppressed, or you and the casualty are in place suppressed, or you and the casualty are in place

of moderate safety.of moderate safety.

In this phase you have the time to conduct your In this phase you have the time to conduct your secondary mission of treating this casualty.secondary mission of treating this casualty.

Recheck bleeding control measures (Consider Recheck bleeding control measures (Consider placing a Pressure bandage on wound and placing a Pressure bandage on wound and

removing Tourniquet).removing Tourniquet).

Tactical Field Care Phase Tactical Field Care Phase (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

Determine Casualties level of Determine Casualties level of consciousnessconsciousness

Check for open chest woundsCheck for open chest wounds

Open and secure casualties airwayOpen and secure casualties airway

Take measures to treat for shockTake measures to treat for shock

Treat other injuriesTreat other injuries

Tactical Field Care Phase Tactical Field Care Phase (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

COMMUNICATE!!!!COMMUNICATE!!!! Brief your unit leader on casualties injuries Brief your unit leader on casualties injuries

and conditionand condition Initiate a Field Medical CardInitiate a Field Medical Card

Monitor the CasualtyMonitor the Casualty Recheck on the casualty every 5 minutes.Recheck on the casualty every 5 minutes. Recheck casualties breathing, bandages, Recheck casualties breathing, bandages,

and IV siteand IV site..

COMBAT CASUALTY COMBAT CASUALTY EVACUATION CAREEVACUATION CARE

If casualty is being evacuated, prepare If casualty is being evacuated, prepare them for evacuationthem for evacuation. .

Cover them with a blanket to keep them warmCover them with a blanket to keep them warm Prepare and transmit a “9 Line” Medevac Prepare and transmit a “9 Line” Medevac

requestrequest If casualty has to be moved, prepare the If casualty has to be moved, prepare the

SKEDCO litter, or TALON II litter.SKEDCO litter, or TALON II litter. If casualty is going via non-medical vehicle, If casualty is going via non-medical vehicle,

arrange vehicle for their transport.arrange vehicle for their transport.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?