Trauma Training

[run n gun]

In regards to knowing how to use a blow out kit, it should be pretty simple stuff. If they can teach the LCD in the Army to use it anyone can. A tourniquet, chest seal, and nasopharengeal air way are all pretty dummy proof, even the NCD is pretty simple (legal implications not withstanding). If you have these and some combat gauze and trauma dressings your set. Also, Robs stats while possibly out of date, are probably found in the Army FM for TCCC, which is also a good resource for this information.

[Robert M Miller]

You might think they are out of date by there are the resent trauma guidelines for tactical usage. As I said previously I thought the scenario was austere. If a casualty has penetrating Chest trauma with increased resp distress needle decompression could save his life and shouldn't be a problem since he already has a whole in his chest. I say this because I was on the COTCCC and helped write these guidelines. I was also the guy that developed all the medical equipment and training at North American Rescue. Like I said,, I thought this was a tactical scenario where someone needed the science behind decreasing preventable death at the Assaulter and medic level. I apologize for not seeing that a boo-boo kit was needed.

[gan1hck]

You might think they are out of date by there are the resent trauma guidelines for tactical usage. As I said previously I thought the scenario was austere. If a casualty has penetrating Chest trauma with increased resp distress needle decompression could save his life and shouldn't be a problem since he already has a whole in his chest. I say this because I was on the COTCCC and helped write these guidelines. I was also the guy that developed all the medical equipment and training at North American Rescue. Like I said,, I thought this was a tactical scenario where someone needed the science behind decreasing preventable death at the Assaulter and medic level. I apologize for not seeing that a boo-boo kit was needed.

do you have the primary reference on your statistics?

You quoted 30% incidence of tension pneumothorax.....seems too high to me...from experience and from literature...although I'm 8 years out of the military and out of academics.

[gan1hck]

Prevalence of Tension Pneumothorax from Journal of Trauma out of USHSU

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531856

[gan1hck]

Tension pneumo prevalence grossly exaggerated?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658372/

[gan1hck]

not a whole lot to learn...

plug the holes or apply tourniquet to stop bleeding....transport to trauma center.

If someone is having fantasies about performing cric's or sealing sucking chest wounds .....then it's just that...fantasies.

My point....and I guess we should add "field needle thoracentesis" to the list

[Hizzie]

Just to add some flavor to the soup I'll throw this in.

There is a local 911 Service out here (Texas) that uses bilateral Needle Thorocostomy + Pericardiocentesis on trauma arrests in the field AKA "The 3 Hole Punch". I recently attended an EMS Advanced Skills Verification Lab put on by them in conjuction with a hospital system. There I learned that they are looking to transition to bilateral finger thorocostomy over the needle version.

I still stand by my earlier suggestion of obtaining EMT-B Cert.

[gan1hck]

Just to add some flavor to the soup I'll throw this in.

There is a local 911 Service out here (Texas) that uses bilateral Needle Thorocostomy + Pericardiocentesis on trauma arrests in the field AKA "The 3 Hole Punch". I recently attended an EMS Advanced Skills Verification Lab put on by them in conjuction with a hospital system. There I learned that they are looking to transition to bilateral finger thorocostomy over the needle version.

I still stand by my earlier suggestion of obtaining EMT-B Cert.

Did these guys EVER save anyone with that maneuver?

Traumatic arrests have a next to zero chance of survival regardless of what you do....the ONLY chance is if it happens right next to a trauma center.

[run n gun]

You might think they are out of date by there are the resent trauma guidelines for tactical usage. As I said previously I thought the scenario was austere. If a casualty has penetrating Chest trauma with increased resp distress needle decompression could save his life and shouldn't be a problem since he already has a whole in his chest. I say this because I was on the COTCCC and helped write these guidelines. I was also the guy that developed all the medical equipment and training at North American Rescue. Like I said,, I thought this was a tactical scenario where someone needed the science behind decreasing preventable death at the Assaulter and medic level. I apologize for not seeing that a boo-boo kit was needed.

With respect, I saw those numbers in a TM so i just figured they were vietnam era stats, you know how TM's can be. North American Rescue makes some great prodicts. WALK kits are great, if a bit heavy. NAR makes the FOX II litters as well right? I know my unit loved those...

[Hizzie]

Did these guys EVER save anyone with that maneuver?

Traumatic arrests have a next to zero chance of survival regardless of what you do....the ONLY chance is if it happens right next to a trauma center.

Nope never. Their Medical Director just enjoys the needless mutilation of human flesh.

Yes they have had success. No I do not have the stats. They are a very large, progressive and very well respected provider.

This is EMS. Things are always changing/improving. Keep an open mind.