FirstSpear TV

Archive for the ‘Medical’ Category

« Older Entries

Soldier Instructors and Staff Become Combat Lifesavers

Saturday, January 11th, 2025

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Sixteen U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute recently completed a Combat Lifesaver, or CLS course, instructed by the RTI’s Medical Battalion Training Site, Dec. 16-20, 2024.

The CLS course is a 40-hour program and covers a wide variety of topics pertaining to medical field care. A CLS-trained Soldier is capable of providing advanced first aid and lifesaving techniques in combat situations.

“In the CLS course we cover everything that happens from the point of injury until a casualty is evacuated and transported to the next level of medical care,” said Sgt. Joshua Nassau, a MBTS combat medic specialist and CLS course instructor.

During the course, students trained on head injuries, hypothermia treatment, pain management and antibiotics, splinting and applying tourniquets to wounds, calling in a 9-line medical evacuation, various patient reports, documentation and more.

This course was unique in that all instructors and students were 166th Regiment RTI staff members.

“It’s been a great week of camaraderie building,” said Sgt. 1st Class Wellington Brown, a CLS student. “Since we’re all with the RTI, we’re able to bond and develop together while, having a good time while getting some great training.”

But what’s the value in the RTI conducting a CLS course for its own instructors and staff? Nassau provided some insight, saying, “If something happens to one of these instructors’ students in the field, having this training allows them to respond immediately and provide the needed medical care until a medic arrives.”

This makes sense, considering CLS-trained Soldiers are not intended to replace medical personnel outright. But their training can help slow the decline of a wounded Soldier’s condition until medical help arrives, and then a CLS can provide further assistance to that medic and the patient.

“It’s a very hands-on course, which is good for retaining all the knowledge we’ve learned,” said Brown. “I see a lot of value in the course and would recommend it to others.”

By SFC Shane Smith

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical, Training | No Comments »

Medical First-Aid Support: Rheinmetall to Deliver Up to 120 Rescue Stations to the Bundeswehr

Thursday, January 9th, 2025

The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Rheinmetall to deliver up to 120 rescue stations to the Bundeswehr. The order will be booked in January 2025 and values in a high double-digit million euro range. Delivery of the initial ten ballistic protected and six unprotected systems is scheduled between 2025 and 2027.

The contract also includes an option for a further 104 armoured and unarmoured systems, as well as corresponding training for the appropriate personnel. The highly mobile aid-stations are used by the Bundeswehr medical service to provide surgical and internal emergency care for the armed forces. If need be, the systems can be set up and dismantled within the shortest possible time.

Each system includes an air conditioning unit, a power generator and an emergency surgery container equipped with the latest medical instruments. The aid-stations are part of the Bundeswehr’s Modular Medical Facilities (MSE) system. 

Posted in Contracts, International, Medical, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Dr Frank Butler Receives Presidential Citizens Medal for Groundbreaking Contributions to Trauma Care

Sunday, January 5th, 2025

President Joe Biden presented Dr. Frank K. Butler, Jr., with the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal in a ceremony at the White House, Jan. 2, 2025.

This award, one of the highest honors a civilian can receive, recognizes Butler’s extraordinary contributions to battlefield trauma care and his enduring impact on both military and civilian medicine.

Dr. Butler’s legacy began during his service as a Navy SEAL, where he developed an intimate understanding of the unique challenges faced in combat environments. Transitioning to medicine, he spearheaded the creation of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) in 1996, revolutionizing battlefield trauma protocols. TCCC’s principles—focused on prehospital care—were initially adopted by elite units such as Navy SEAL Teams and the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. Over time, these protocols became the standard of care across the U.S. military and influenced trauma care worldwide.

During his 11 years as Chair of the Department of Defense’s Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Butler led a multidisciplinary team of trauma care experts who drove advancements that saved thousands of lives during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The innovations he championed—including the widespread use of tourniquets and hemostatic dressings—not only improved survival rates in combat but also reshaped emergency medical responses in civilian contexts. His push to train and equip every soldier with these life-saving tools has had far-reaching effects, from military operations to first responder and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Butler’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. As a member of the White House advisory team on civilian IED injuries and a founding member of the Hartford Consensus Working Group, he played a critical role in the development of the national “STOP THE BLEED®” campaign. Launched in 2015, this initiative empowers bystanders to act as immediate responders, significantly improving outcomes for victims of severe bleeding.

Over his illustrious career, Butler has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the American College of Surgeons Distinguished Military Lifetime Achievement Award, the Military Health System Battlefield Medicine Innovation Award, the U.S. Special Operations Command Medal, and the Military Health System Research Symposium Distinguished Service Award, a lifetime achievement award. Notably, he was the inaugural recipient of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Award, now named the “CAPT Frank K. Butler” award in his honor.

The Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded to citizens of the United States of America who have “performed exemplary deeds of service for their country or their fellow citizens.”

Butler’s groundbreaking contributions have left an indelible mark on military medicine and the nation. From transforming the way trauma is treated on the battlefield to influencing global trauma care standards, his work has saved countless lives.

As President Biden presented the medal, he highlighted Dr. Butler’s unparalleled dedication to saving lives and advancing medical care, noting that his work “revolutionized trauma care.”

Story by Sharon Holland, Uniformed Services University

Editor’s note: If you’d like to know more about CAPT Frank Butler, MD, (USN, Ret) who started out as a UDT/SEAL, check out the upcoming War Docs Podcast episode, “NAVY SEAL TO DOCTOR: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND TRANSFORMATION”

Dive into the captivating story of CAPT (Ret) Frank Butler, MD, a Navy SEAL who swapped combat boots for a stethoscope, demonstrating that resilience and dedication know no bounds. This episode reveals how military discipline and a medical family heritage inspired a seamless transition to a career in healing. Join the podcast for an enriching conversation about courage, commitment, and the pursuit of a medical mission. Perfect for enthusiasts of military and medical narratives, this story is sure to inspire and motivate. The episode featuring Dr. Butler will be available on YouTube on 6 JAN 25 and will launch on all major podcast platforms on 10 JAN 25.

Posted in Guest Post, Medical, Veterans | 2 Comments »

23 STS IDMT: ‘Knowing what to do and being ready can make all the difference’

Sunday, January 5th, 2025

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

“Is there a doctor on board?”

Sitting in his aisle seat toward the back of a commercial flight, Air Force Staff Sgt. William Flaspoehler saw the flight attendants scrambling for help.

It was May 2023, and Flaspoehler was traveling to a deployed location in Southeast Asia.

He walked to the front of the cabin and found a 64-year-old woman, pale-faced, sweating and clutching her chest in pain.

After observing her symptoms, he checked the woman’s pulse and blood pressure.

“We need to divert and land as soon as possible,” he told the pilots, knowing the woman would soon go into cardiac arrest.

From there, Flaspoehler said he relied on both instinct and experience. He followed chest pain protocols, placed the passenger on oxygen and gave her aspirin and fluids. Next, he examined a bottle of nitroglycerin: a drug that could potentially stabilize the patient, but could also be lethal.

“I knew I had to do it,” he said. “It was stressful, but I knew she didn’t have much time.”

As the aircraft began its descent to the nearest airport, Flaspoehler worked to keep the woman alive.

For Flaspoehler, an independent duty medical technician with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, providing life-saving care is almost second nature.

His journey to that moment began years before he joined the military.

Before enlisting in the Air Force in 2016, Flaspoehler honed his medical skills as a civilian emergency medical technician in Los Angeles. Later, his career led him to a level-one pediatric trauma center at LA Children’s Hospital. There, he treated some of the most critically injured patients imaginable, he said.

“We responded to car accidents, fires, stabbings … pretty much everything imaginable,” he said. “As a whole, those jobs exposed me to a wide range of medical incidents.”

Flaspoehler said that one of those incidents in particular left him wanting something more in life.

One day, the former EMT found himself in the back of an ambulance, speeding through the streets of Los Angeles, treating a man bleeding heavily from a neck wound.

As he packed the wound to stem the bleeding, the same thought continued to flash through his mind: the injury was eerily similar to the one that had killed his friend, fallen Army Sgt. Michael Cable, who died in Afghanistan in 2013.

Flaspoehler said that in the moment, he tried not to think about Cable’s death. But afterward, he began to dwell on it. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he could be serving a greater purpose, he said.

“I wanted to be able to be there to see and treat my friends and brothers and sisters,” Flaspoehler said. “As a civilian, I was usually treating strangers. I wanted to be with a team and have the responsibility of taking care of them.”

That realization drove him to join the Air Force.

As part of the 23rd STS, Flaspoehler’s work is dynamic. His unit is tasked with missions involving austere airfield control, terminal attack control, personnel rescue and recovery, assault zone battlefield trauma care, and more.

In his role as an IDMT, he’s trained to establish medical treatment facilities in remote and hostile environments.

“I can run a 911 call, pick up an active duty patient, treat them as a paramedic, bring them to the emergency room and then treat them and discharge them,” Flaspoehler said. “This kind of position doesn’t really exist in the civilian world.”

He also provides medical support during high-risk activities like airborne jump operations and dives, and trains personnel on Tactical Combat Casualty Care to prepare them for potential life-and-death scenarios.

“One day, it could be their friend that needs help out there,” he said, referring to fallen Army Soldier Cable.

On the flight, the 64-year-old patient’s blood pressure and heart rate returned to healthier levels and the medicine reduced her pain.

Soon after, the flight landed in Kuching, Malaysia, where Flaspoehler helped first responders carry the woman off the plane and to an ambulance.

After arriving at his deployed location in Southeast Asia, Flaspoehler followed up on the patient’s status: the woman had survived after receiving additional care in Kuching.

“I felt relieved that I made the right call,” he said. “While it was something I had handled so many times before, I had never had to do something like this on a plane, in international waters.”

Ultimately, Flaspoehler said he credits the medical experience he gained as a civilian and in the Air Force.

“Knowing what to do and being ready can make all the difference.”

By SSgt Natalie Fiorilla
24th Special Operations Wing

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, Medical, SOF | 1 Comment »

Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Updates Guidelines for 2024

Thursday, December 26th, 2024

EuroMedics alerted us that the Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care issued updated protocols for BLS/ALS Clinicians in late November.

While there are numerous updates to the TECC guidelines, these standout.

MASSIVE BLEEDING

The section on hemorrhage control includes the direction to covert or relocate the TQ within 2 hours of application, which is consistent with current CoTCCC recommendations. The guidelines do not mention a time where conversion is no longer recommended.

AIRWAY MANAGEMENT

Here identified the most prominent choices that diverge from the TCCC guidelines. Apart from recommending the SGA as a viable option for Warm Zone Care, the guidelines also recommend oro- and nasotracheal intubation, which is an interesting choice.

MEDICATIONS

Another interesting aspect is the selection of NSAIDs, namely Celecoxib, which has a more GI-protective profile as well as a more pronounced COX-2 preference than Meloxicam which is recommended in the TCCC guidelines.

Also intersting is the lack of recommendations on antibiotic choices, whereas the TCCC guidelines recommend 2 options for POI antibiosis.

There are numerous orher changes in the guidelines so we encourage you to have look and familiarize yourself with them!

There are a lot of links to older versions out there but here are the latest guidelines as of this publication.

Posted in Medical | 1 Comment »

Snigel 6L Funny Pack

Friday, December 20th, 2024

Introducing the Snigel 6L Funny Pack—a versatile companion for medics, technicians, and adventurers alike. Designed with Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) in mind, this pack offers:

Spacious Main Compartment: Features two detachable interior walls for customizable organization.

External Zipped Pocket: Provides quick access to essential items.

Multiple Carrying Options: Wear it around the waist, over the shoulder, crossbody, or attach it to larger backpacks.

MOLLE Webbing & Velcro Strips: Allows for easy attachment of additional gear and personal identifiers.

Whether you’re carrying medical supplies, personal items, or technical equipment like camera gear, the 6L Funny Pack adapts to your needs.

Get yours at www.snigel.se/product/6l-funny-pack-18.

Posted in International, Load Carrying, Medical | No Comments »

Survivability Under Fire: Expeditionary Medicine in Contested Logistics

Monday, December 16th, 2024

Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. —

As the world enters an era of renewed great power competition, the Marine Corps is rapidly modernizing to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield.

Envisioning a return to contested littorals, Marine Corps Systems Command’s PM Combat Support Systems is fielding cutting-edge expeditionary medical capabilities designed to increase warfighter survivability behind enemy lines. Guided by Force Design, the Expeditionary Medical Systems team is rapidly deploying these advanced medical capabilities to ensure Marines are prepared for the future fight.

According to Navy CAPT Janine Espinal, EMS team lead and senior medical logistician: “These capabilities not only ensure we can sustain operations by providing life-saving care under fire, but also enhance survivability in Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) environments, where rapid, adaptive medical support is essential to keeping Marines in the fight.”

Medicine Under Fire: A Battlefield Perspective

To envision these capabilities in action, consider this hypothetical scenario where Marines rely on expeditionary medical systems in a contested battlespace. The following situation report demonstrates how these tools would be employed behind enemy lines.

Situation Report
Location: Undisclosed, first island chain, INDOPACOM
Date: November 10, 20XX
Time: 1300 Hours

In the oppressive humidity of the Indo-Pacific’s contested littorals, a Marine platoon holds a critical position on a remote, undisclosed island—far from resupply or reinforcements. While the jungle provides natural cover, their advanced uniforms render them invisible, hidden from infrared and electromagnetic detection. To enemy sensors, they are phantoms—the ghosts of Devil Dogs past, returning to the theater where legends like GySgt John Basilone and LtGen “Chesty” Puller carved their legacy in blood and fire.

At a remote Expeditionary Advanced Base, a young Lance Corporal leans against a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), enjoying his favorite MRE. In this unforgiving battlespace, the chili mac is worth its weight in gold. Concealed by cutting-edge camouflage netting, the vehicle blends into the jungle, virtually invisible thanks to multi-spectral protection. Its rugged design powers through tough terrain, while the CASEVAC kit ensures it can be rapidly reconfigured to evacuate injured Marines from the front lines.

As the Marines advance through the dense jungle, they suddenly come under intense enemy fire. One Marine is wounded, requiring an immediate casualty evacuation to save his life. His squad lays down a heavy base of fire, enabling the vehicle to break contact and rush him to a concealed medical station. A Navy Corpsman, equipped with Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) and Surgery (DCS) systems, quickly stabilizes the Marine. Portable refrigeration units keep life-saving blood on-site, ensuring critical care despite the distance from the ambush. Deep behind enemy lines, these expeditionary capabilities are a lifeline, enabling warfighters to survive and bring the fight tonight.

Although fictional, the scenario described is a close reflection of what our Marines are preparing to face on the future battlefield. To fight and win across the globe’s contested littorals, Marines need rapid, adaptive medical capabilities that enhance survivability when evacuation isn’t an option.

As noted by CMDR David Gribben, branch head for the Naval Support Branch at CD&I, “Our focus must be to ensure that our logistics approach is perfectly aligned with the Marines. As they get lighter and more agile, we’re doing the same with our medical capabilities. We’re matching their mobility with light, portable systems—shelter, communications, medical equipment—that integrate seamlessly with the Marine Corps’ logistics framework. This interoperability allows us to rapidly deploy and support Marines in contested environments, giving them the best chance of survival in the most austere conditions.”

Fielding Expeditionary Survivability

To address these challenges head-on, PM CSS’s Expeditionary Medical Systems Team recently hosted the Health Services Operational Advisory Group (HSOAG) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., bringing together senior medical leaders from Okinawa, Hawaii, Germany and various CONUS and OCONUS locations. Over four days, Marines, greenside Navy medical personnel, and civilian acquisition professionals evaluated healthcare systems and structures, focusing on evolving capabilities to meet Force Design requirements.

During the HSOAG meeting, standing before a JLTV fitted with the latest CASEVAC kit, Rear Adm. Pamela Miller, Medical Officer of the Marine Corps, highlighted the critical importance expeditionary medical capabilities in 21st century warfare.

She noted: “The development of our medical capabilities is crucial because we need to stay relevant, preparing for future conflicts rather than the last. We’re facing new challenges not seen since World War II, and there’s urgency to adapt to meet the Commandant’s directive, Force Design, and work with the naval enterprise through Distributed Maritime Operations. With Fleet Health Services and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery leadership here, we’re aligning our focus to ensure we can support the warfighters in the next fight.”

Throughout the week, several key medical capabilities were highlighted, starting with the JLTV CASEVAC Kit, a crucial modification to the JLTV Utility variant. This system allows for the rapid transport of two litters and a jump seat in the cargo bed, enhancing casualty evacuation in austere, contested environments. Its adaptability supports operational flexibility on the battlefield, as emphasized by Rear Adm. Miller, who noted its vital role in boosting casualty evacuation capabilities and maintaining force lethality. According to Capt. James Minturn, JLTV project officer at PEO Land Systems, the flexibility provided by the CASEVAC kit is a key advantage in contested environments.

In his words: “The JLTV gives commanders options. They can use it for troop transport one moment, then quickly switch to casualty evacuation when needed. Instead of dedicating a vehicle solely to medical transport, the CASEVAC kit lets units adapt on the fly, which is critical in environments where vehicle movement is restricted. It’s all about maximizing capability without overcommitting resources.”

The Expeditionary Portable Oxygen Generation System (EPOGS) was another standout, offering a lightweight, mobile solution for delivering medical-grade oxygen. EPOGS improves reliability, mobility, and ease of transport, making it essential for forward-deployed operations in challenging environments.

Additionally, the Expeditionary Medical Refrigeration Unit (EMRU) provides extended cooling for critical medical supplies such as blood, vaccines, and medications, maintaining temperatures for over three days without external power. This capability significantly outpaces older systems, which had an eight-hour limitation.

Finally, the Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR) and Damage Control Surgery (DCS) systems were highlighted for their compact, modular designs, enabling life-saving trauma care near the front lines in contested environments. These scalable systems ensure critical care reaches Marines even when evacuation is delayed, aligning with the Corps’ focus on distributed operations and survivability behind enemy lines.

Anticipating the Future Fight

In the race to 2027, PM CSS’s Expeditionary Medical Systems team is advancing critical capabilities that enhance battlefield survivability for the Marine Corps, the Joint Force, and our international partners. Systems like the JLTV CASEVAC Kit, advanced refrigeration, and portable oxygen generation are essential for delivering timely medical support in contested environments. These innovations, backed by rapid acquisition processes, ensure operational readiness in the most challenging conditions.

Tested in exercises like Global Medic 2024 and proven in real-world conflictssuch as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, these expeditionary medical capabilities are critical for the future fight. Mobile medical units, damage control surgery, and forward-positioned resuscitative care have demonstrated their ability to reduce preventable deaths and maintain force lethality under fire. As these capabilities continue to evolve, they will remain essential in ensuring rapid response and adaptability in contested environments. By prioritizing joint collaboration and acquisition speed, PM CSS’ EMS team is setting the standard for medical readiness and ensuring our warfighters are equipped for success in an ever-evolving battlespace.

By Johannes Schmidt, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication, Marine Corps Systems Command

Photos by Jim Van Meer

Posted in Guest Post, Medical, Mobility, USMC | No Comments »

WRAIR Advances Neurostimulation Research in New Partnership with NATO Committee

Thursday, November 28th, 2024

On October 16, 2024, the NATO Neurostimulation Committee visited the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research’s (WRAIR) Sleep Research Center (SRC). Hosted by Dr. Tracy Jill Doty, Chief of the SRC, the visit focused on learning about ongoing fatigue mitigation research using neurostimulation.

The NATO Neurostimulation Committee is a working group of leading researchers in neuroscience, cognition, and brain function. Established in July 2024, the committee addresses common limitations in neurostimulation research by conducting large-scale, multi-laboratory experiments across multiple countries. Its mission is to advance the understanding of cognitive performance enhancement through robust and thorough investigations. The committee’s work centers on neurostimulation, a field that encompasses various technologies and techniques for targeting specific brain regions. Dr. Doty, an expert in sleep and fatigue, provides valuable insights to these efforts.

“The committee didn’t previously have an expert in sleep and fatigue, but it’s a critical area where neurostimulation technology could make a substantial impact,” Dr. Doty explained. “Applying neurostimulation to maintain brain health under fatigue conditions is a growing field, and this partnership between the committee and the SRC is a natural fit.”

The SRC contributes to the committee’s international research efforts by developing brain stimulation methods to enhance slow-wave sleep and help service members maintain alertness during extended operations. These capabilities, including pioneering advancements in slow-wave sleep enhancement, have been a hallmark of the SRC’s work.

Service members often face challenges such as insufficient sleep or limited rest periods, which significantly impair cognitive performance and mission readiness. Studies show that a single night of sleep deprivation can impair alertness and cognition to levels comparable to a 0.08% blood alcohol concentration.

“The Sleep Research Center is at the forefront of neurostimulation technology,” said Dr. Doty. “We’re eager to explore new opportunities to advance this technology for military applications.”

Although still in its early stages, this collaboration between the SRC and the NATO Neurostimulation Committee holds significant promise for improving service members’ cognitive resilience and overall brain health.

Story by Zeke Gonzalez 

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical | No Comments »

« Older Entries