Approach to Trauma Care in the Armed Forces

Excerpt

Trauma care has been an integral part of any fighting force. Just as weaponry has undergone a tremendous refinement in its delivery and damaging capability, so has the improvement in trauma care over the centuries. Broadly speaking, trauma in the Armed Forces may be non combat or combat trauma. Non combat trauma, like blunt injuries, burns, sports injuries, animal bites etc are akin to those in a civilian setting in presentation and management and do not merit elaboration. Combat trauma as a consequence of missiles, blasts, crushes, flame burns and cold injuries are unique due to the nature of warfare, terrain and peculiar equipment and require discussion. There is therefore considerable variation in the approach to trauma care in the Armed Forces establishments and in the civilian setting. …