e. Continue to monitor the casualty's breathing.
(1) If the casualty's breathing rate falls below two breaths every 15 seconds,
insert a nasopharyngeal airway (Lesson 3).
(2) If tension pneumothorax develops, perform a needle chest
decompression (Lesson 4).
f. If needed, prepare the casualty for evacuation (Lesson 7).
2-9.
CLOSING
a. As discussed in Lesson 1, there are three primary preventable causes of
death from injury on the battlefield. You are able to help prevent death from all three
causes. The preventable causes of battlefield deaths are:
(1) Severe bleeding from an arm or leg wound (apply a tourniquet or
emergency dressing).
(2)
Collapsed lung (perform needle chest decompression).
(3) Blockage of the nose and throat from an injury to the face (insert a
nasopharyngeal airway).
b. Remember, there are times when you should not provide care. Do not take
time to treat an injured soldier if:
(1)
You are under fire and providing care places your own life in immediate
danger.
(2)
Taking time to prove care will endanger the combat mission.
(3) The casualty does not have vital (life) signs; that is, the casualty is not
breathing, does not have a pulse, and is not moving.
(4) The casualty's injury is probably not survivable given the battlefield
situation. Examples of such injuries are:
(a) Penetrating head injuries with brain tissue exposed.
(b) Severe burns covering a large part of the body.
(c)
Mutilating blast injuries.
IS0877
2-7
Previous Page
