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All Trauma Can Cause PTSD

Thursday, July 6th, 2023

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) —

Post-traumatic stress disorder is commonly associated with combat-related trauma, but service members may not know that PTSD can also be caused by experiences beyond the battlefield.

PTSD is a physical and mental reaction to a situation or event that was perceived as dangerous, according to behavioral health experts.

“The key is being exposed to a traumatic event,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Larry Kroll, deputy chief of the Defense Health Agency’s behavioral health clinical management team.

“Threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, actual or threatened sexual violence—there are all kinds of traumatic experiences that qualify,” he said. These noncombat-related traumas include car accidents, mass shootings, natural disasters, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

The PTSD trigger can vary from person to person. What is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another.

“A tornado comes and destroys the town you live in. Your neighbor’s house is still standing. Yours is destroyed,” Kroll said. “Both parties could be diagnosed potentially with PTSD.”

The trigger may be through direct exposure to trauma, or even indirect exposure. According to Kroll, indirect exposure could range from situations like a first responder witnessing trauma as part of their job to learning that a relative or close friend was exposed to a trauma.

There are several symptoms that can lead to a PTSD diagnosis.

Re-living the event: Service members who experienced a traumatic event may re-live the event in their minds over and over again. They may have nightmares or flashbacks. Reminders of the trauma can be caused by people, places, sounds and smells. These reminders are called “triggers.”

Avoiding situations that remind you of the event: Service members may avoid the things that remind them of the experience to avoid painful thoughts and feelings.

Negative thoughts or feelings that worsen after the trauma: You may have changes in thoughts and moods after a trauma. You may blame yourself or feel guilty for having these thoughts. You may separate yourself from others, lose interest in things you like to do, and feel more and more isolated.

Hyperarousal: You may feel too alert or hyper-aware of your surroundings. You may have trouble sleeping and concentrating. You may feel irritable, overly aggressive, or be easily startled.

It’s important to reach out for help if you experience PTSD symptoms. Treatments like cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy are highly effective and available in most military hospitals and clinics. Newer treatments like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy may help too.

According to Brandi Blue, a licensed clinical social worker at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, these therapies allow for the patient to process their feelings of distress and challenge any unrealistic thoughts that have come from the trauma.

Service members may have felt reluctant to get help in the past, but Blue said that education in schools and exposure to mental health needs and symptoms on social media, television, and in movies is lessening the stigma.

“We can help you manage it better and deal with it better,” said Kroll. “We just want you to have a better life and a more fulfilling life.”

Kroll sees a difference in younger service members. “I think young soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, and guardians now are far more comfortable getting mental health support than service members were when I first came in… they’re more comfortable talking about their stuff.”

Resources: The Military Health System has many resources available to help service members, families, or veterans, such as:

The Psychological Health Center of Excellence: The center seeks to improve lives of service members by advancing excellence in military psychological health care research.

Real Warriors Campaign: Real Warriors encourages members of the military community to seek help for mental health concerns by promoting a culture of support. The campaign features videos, tools, and resources with key information about mental health and how to get help.

inTransition: inTransition is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care.

For a complete list of PTSD and mental health resources, visit the Health.mil information pages.

By Ken Cornwell, MHS Communications

Posted in Guest Post, Medical | Comments Off on All Trauma Can Cause PTSD

Direct Action Lysander MED Waist Bag

Saturday, July 1st, 2023

Lysander MED Waist Bag provides a compact way to carry essential battlefield medical equipment. Its ergonomic shape allows it to fit below the plate carrier, a feature particularly useful when operating in tight spaces.

A zippered pocket on the front holds protective gloves while its external Velcro® panel can be used to attach a med patch. The main compartment closes with a two-way zipper and its soft Velcro lining can be easily configured with included dedicated strips for specific equipment. Another pocket at the rear of the bag will hold large flat dressings and closes with a small Velcro. Two additional pockets are sewn onto the closing flap, one for shears and the other for TCCC casualty cards.

On the sides of the bag there is attached a laser-cut MOLLE/PALS compatible system allowing attachment of additional pockets for dressings, tourniquets, etc. The MOLLE/PALS compatible system continues on the underside of the bag to assist with additional equipment like a COMBAT STRETCHER. Besides using a MOLLE/PALS compatible system at the bottom we implemented an interwoven shockcord for additional mounting possibilities.

Main features:

Easy access (two-way zipper)

Compact dimensions

Extensive configuration options

MOLLE/PALS compatible system and shockord to attach additional equipment

Tech specs:

weight: 372 g / 0.82 lb

dimensions: 28 x 14 x 14 cm / 11 x 5.5 x 5.5 in

waist: up to 126 cm / 49.6 in

directactiongear.com

Posted in International, Load Carrying, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Direct Action Lysander MED Waist Bag

Rheinmetall to Supply Ukraine with Two Forward Surgical Team Stations

Saturday, June 24th, 2023

Rheinmetall has booked a further order from the Ukrainian ministry of defence to supply modern mobile medical facilities for field operations. The Group will be supplying the Ukraine with two Forward Surgical Team (FST) systems. The two systems have been acquired within the framework of the “Enable & Enhance” Initiative of the German government. They have a contract value in the high single-digit million euro range and are due to be delivered in late 2023 and early 2024. At the end of 2022, Rheinmetall had already been awarded an order to supply Ukraine with a turnkey mobile Role 2 hospital.

A sheltered FST system comprises three sets of vehicles, each consisting of a truck, a trailer and a total of six containers, which remain truck- and trailer-mounted even during operation. When deployed, the containers, which are interconnected and expandable, include a reception and triage area, an x-ray shelter, a pre-operation unit and an operation shelter as well as an intensive care unit. Equipped with a generator and water tank, the supply container allows the turnkey system to operate independently for at least 48 hours. The system features state-of-the-art medical technology: major components such as the high-performance x-ray device come from Siemens Healthineers, a strategic partner of Rheinmetall.

FSTs are intended for damage control surgery, or DCS. They enable lifesaving procedures to be carried out very quickly on badly wounded soldiers close to the frontline of the battlefield. Patients are stabilized and prepared for transport to other medical units in the rear for further treatment at a Role 2 or Role 3 field hospitals or stationary facilities. Highly mobile, FSTs are swiftly ready to operate thanks to the short set-up times – and to jump at short notice in response to shifting front lines.

Posted in International, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall to Supply Ukraine with Two Forward Surgical Team Stations

Army Rolls Out New Army Body Composition Program

Tuesday, June 20th, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Army rolled out its new Army Body Composition Program Monday that outlines a more accurate way to assess Soldiers’ body fat.

At a recent event, Sgt. Maj. Christopher P. Stevens, Army G-1 personnel sergeant major, and Holly McClung, lead researcher for the body composition study at the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, talked about the roll out of the new program in detail.

“For years, we have been committed to reducing body fat across the force. It’s one of the driving factors in supporting the holistic health and fitness program, as well as one of the reasons to request a study on the Army Body Composition Program,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston in a prepared statement. “As we got feedback from the study, we found there were ways to modernize the ABCP and better uphold the standards established in the regulations. As we implement these policies, performance on the [Army Combat Fitness Test] will increase while body fat decreases at a scale never before seen in our Army.”

The new changes, which also apply to Army National Guard and Army Reserve, replace the older method of measurement with a one-site tape test that is one measurement across the belly button. The previous test had two measurements across the belly and the neck.

“This new tape test requires taping only at one site, and the use of a corresponding calculation model for all Soldiers,” Stevens said. “[The] height and weight screening table remains the first line of assessment so no change to that.”

“From the clinical application in the medical world, a waist circumference, abdominal around your belly button, is linked to long-term health outcomes,” McClung said. “Not only are we looking at the performance of the Soldier today, but the long-term health of the Soldier in years to come within the Army.”

As far as those who are unable to pass, the Army has methods in place that assist Soldiers with a path to a healthier lifestyle and, hopefully, will bring them up to standard.

“We want to help them, we want to put them on a health promotion track, work with some dietitians and some trainers and bring them up to standard,” McClung said. “It’s making sure that we’re helping our Soldiers today, as well as in the long run.”

With the older method, it was found that some Soldiers were passing when they should have failed, and some would fail when they should have passed, McClung said.

“That’s why as a team, the policy working group came up with the three different methods, so that we could pull out those top performers that maybe were failing,” McClung said.

Like the previous test, Soldiers who fail the height and weight will need to take the new standards test. Soldiers who fail the first taping method can use the previous taping method as confirmation until June 12, 2024, as the new method is phased in. After failing those tests, the Soldier will be flagged, which can negatively impact their career.

If the Soldier fails both of those versions of the tape test, they can request, if reasonably available, supplemental assessment with the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry, InBody 770 or Bod Pod. These three devices are an advanced way to measure body fat composition.

“What’s going to stay in place when it comes to profession in the Army Body Composition Program is weight loss,” Stevens said.

These changes were made based on extensive research. The Army-wide study, which the ABCP is based on, was completed earlier this year, and evaluated the effectiveness of the new test on more than 2,600 Soldiers.

“We were hearing a lot from Soldiers in listening sessions and other forums who were concerned with the ACFT,” McClung said. “One of the main outcomes of this study was the first time that the Army has actually linked physical performance to body composition.”

The Army will continue to use the data from the study to make modifications to the program if necessary.

“This new policy will increase the readiness of the force by giving every Soldier a more accurate assessment of their health and fitness,” Stevens said. “The overall focus of the program is to have an effective and accurate assessment of the holistic health and fitness of the force, while at the same time providing Soldiers with the resources they need to improve and preserve individual and unit readiness.”

By SFC Michael Reinsch, Army News Service

Posted in Army, Guest Post, Medical, Profession of Arms | 1 Comment »

ADS Federal Range Day 23 – SoRite DECON

Thursday, June 8th, 2023

At every show I attend I run across something completely unexpected and this time it was SoRite DECON. Produced by a small, woman-owned company in Nashville, SoRite DECON is quickly becoming a go-to product for law enforcement, first responders, and even the military due to its ability to render narcotics inert. Those who hit the scene first are vulnerable to unintentional contamination by narcotics and many have suffered overdoses.

Decontaminating at the molecular level, SoRite DECON renders fentanyl and heroine inert in 60 seconds. The compound contains Sodium Chlorite which oxidizes and destroys fentanyl and heroin. A number of chemical groups in fentanyl and heroin, especially the carbon linked oxygens and nitrogens, are highly susceptible to oxidation which cleaves and destroys fentanyl and heroin at those locations.

According to the manufacturer Aseptic Health, SoRite DECON is also safe on your skin and does not emit a heavy odor. It is also non-corrosive and safe in your clothing and equipment as well as the interior of vehicles for use to decon after transport.

SoRite DECON is offered in multiple container sizes as well as wipes.

Units and agencies can procure products seen at ADS Federal Range Day by contacting ADS, Inc.

Posted in Advertiser, CBRNE, LE, Medical, Warrior Expo | 1 Comment »

CANSEC 23 – Airboss Defense Group Blast Gauge System

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

The Blast Gauge System has been under development in conjunction with USSOCOM by Airboss Defense Group company Blackbox Biometrics.

The blast gauge measures over pressure which is indicated by a simple Red, Yellow, or Green LED indicator. It also transmits the data via Bluetooth to an Android app which also talks to TAK and can geographically depict where exposures have happened as well as how much has been accumulated, in total and by event. This is particularly important as we have learned that Soldiers are being exposed to overpressure during training as well as combat and the cumulative effect is particularly concerning. This data can lead to medical assessment as well as giving at risk Soldiers “rest breaks” from exposure during training.

Blast overpressure can lead to:

-Structural changes to the brain

-Increased PTSD

-Acceleration of age-associated neurological disorders

-Persistent concussion systems

Each Soldier is issued three which are worn on the helmet, upper torso and lower torso. The single battery lasts over three years in training and 1 year in combat conditions.

www.adg.com/military/products/sensors/blast-gauge

Posted in CANSEC, Medical | Comments Off on CANSEC 23 – Airboss Defense Group Blast Gauge System

Concussions – What They Are, What To Do

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

These slides come to us from 1/75’s Human Performance team.

Concussions are commonly seen in sports, but they are also prevalent within special operations units. The physical demands of being a Ranger put us at increased risk, and unfortunately, these injuries are underreported.

Early recognition and treatment of a concussion can help expedite recovery and get you back in the fight at full capacity. Our battalion has a multidisciplinary team capable of treating your injury to ensure you return to duty safely.

#RLTW

Posted in Medical | Comments Off on Concussions – What They Are, What To Do

Rheinmetall Wins Second Contract for Regenerating More Parts of the Bundeswehr’s Modular Medical Facilities

Thursday, May 25th, 2023

At the end of January 2023, Germany’s Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) selected Rheinmetall to remodel additional parts of its modular medical facilities. The special modular medical facility containers ordered here by the Bundeswehr will be used, for example, as food safety laboratories. The order is worth a figure in the higher-single-digit million-euro range. Work is to be complete by December 2023.

Known by their German initials as MSE containers, they constitute a family of modular medical facilities. Fabricated since the 1990s, multiple variants of these units have been procured and are now undergoing comprehensive regeneration.

The MSEs consist of rescue facilities and field hospitals used in Bundeswehr areas of operation. Here, individual systems perform specialized tasks, serving in this case as a food safety laboratory, or LCM. The technical and medical equipment in the LCM help to assure food safety in the field during deployed operations. These stackable container systems are CSC-classified, meaning that they can be transported on container ships. The systems and their equipment are customized in terms of scope and functionality.

Dr Deniz Akitürk, managing director of Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH, is particularly proud of the latest project: “This is the second time that we’ve won a contract of this kind. Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH can look now forward to more orders in this segment.”

Responsible for mobile deployable mission solutions, Rheinmetall Project Solutions GmbH has bundled the Group’s resources and capabilities for mission support ever since 2019. It provides customers with long-term mission support through specific services. Rheinmetall AG created the company specifically to handle services and projects for mission support.

Posted in Contracts, International, Medical, Press Release | Comments Off on Rheinmetall Wins Second Contract for Regenerating More Parts of the Bundeswehr’s Modular Medical Facilities