REALISTIC TRAUMA TRAINING HONES SURGICAL TEAMS

摘要

Survival rates from combat wounds in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past 17 years exceed those of all previous wars. The reasons are multiple, but a major contributor is rapid resuscitation and movement to surgical care in the "Golden Hour," the critical period after traumatic injury when medical intervention is most likely to be successful. In these two land-based conflicts, however, the military was able to use helicopters in a semipermissive air environment. Conditions in the next conflict may be less favorable. Contested blue water, heavily defended littoral spaces, rugged landscapes without air superiority, and long distances to life-saving care are to be expected. Is Navy Medicine prepared?