An improvised explosive device — the most common weapon used against US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan — detonated near a squad patrolling on foot in the a small dusty village. One soldier was severely wounded. The explosive blast tore apart his legs; both were traumatically amputated. A cry of, “MEDIC!!” went out and despite a hail of incoming small arms fire, a combat medic immediately rushed to the soldier’s side and placed tourniquets on the bleeding stumps. This procedure saved a life, but was just the first step of the US military Joint Trauma System (JTS).
To read more about the US military Joint Trauma System and roles of care by COL Kyle N. Remick, MD FACS and COL Jeffrey A. Bailey, MD, FACS check out Chapter 13 in “Operation Crisis: Surgical care in the developing world during conflict and disaster,” available from Johns Hopkins University Press or on Amazon.
Operation Health: A series of books on surgery and global health from Johns Hopkins University Press 