What are two torniquet methods? Describe each.
Hasty torniquet: Used in CUF. High and tight, over the clothing.
Deliberate torniquet: Used in TFC. 2-3inches above the wound, and on the skin.
What is an indication for a Jaw-Thrust? What is a contraindication for a Jaw-Thrust?
Indication: Spinal injury
Contraindication: Only one person is available to
What is the main difference between a vented and a nonvented chest seal.
Vented chest seals allow air to escape out of the chest while nonvented chest seals do not.
What is the importance of treating for hypothermia?
Even a small decrease in body temperature can
interfere with blood clotting and increase the risk of
bleeding to death
What is the top priority in CUF?
Suppress Enemy fire
What is the proper order for a blood sweep?
Neck, Axillary, Inguinal.
Legs then arms
If a conscious casualty has severe facial injuries, how should you position them?
They are a conscious casualty so allow them to position themselves
What are signs and symptoms of progressive respiratory distress?
▪ Progressive difficulty breathing
(Labored and rapid breathing worsening over time)
▪ Shortness of breath
▪ Confusion/lightheaded and/or agitation due to lack of oxygen
▪ Bluish discoloration around
mouth and lips
▪ Rapid pulse
▪ Distended jugular veins
What does passive hypothermia warming do for the warming process? What does it not due?
Helps to protect them from the element.
Helps them maintain any remaining body heat.
It DOES NOT reverse the hypothermic process.
How long can a tourniquet be left on before there is permanent damage?
When should you consider tourniquet conversion?
6 hours
Within 2 hours of tourniquet placement or less.
What are the key things you need to have for an effective improvised tourniquet? Name one drawback of an improvised tourniquet?
A band that is two to three inches. A windless and a way to secure the windless.
Drawback: They loosen easier. Inadequate pressure. Uneven compression. Could potently cause more damage.
What are some signs and symptoms of a blocked airway?
Maxillofacial trauma (severe trauma to the face) is observed
Visible blood or foreign objects are present in the airway
Casualty is in distress and indicates they can’t breathe properly
Casualty is making snoring or gurgling sounds
What are CONTRAINDICATIONS for tourniquet conversion?
Shock
Inability to closely monitor for rebleeding
Amputation
If the tourniquet has been in place more than 6 hours
Tactical or medical considerations make transition inadvisable
Why do wrap all wounds, including those that are none life-threatening? Name at least 3
Infection, Peace of mind for the casualty, prevent further injury
What are lines 3,4, and 5 of the NATO 9-Line
Number of Patients/ Priority
Special Equipment Required
Patients/ Type
What are CONTRAINDICATIONS for tourniquet conversion?
Shock
Inability to closely monitor for rebleeding Amputation
If the tourniquet has been in place more than 6 hours
Tactical or medical considerations make transition inadvisable
What is the rate in which you ventilate a patient with a BVM.
Squeeze firmly for 1-2 seconds and 5-6 seconds apart
What are physical symptoms of a pelvic fractures?
Pelvic pain
Major lower limb amputation OR lower near amputations
Deformities, penetrating injuries, bruising near the pelvis
Pelvic instability or crepitus (crinkly or grating feeling or sound under the skin)
Unconsciousness or shock
What are the different characteristics of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burnd
1ST-DEGREE BURNS: Are just like a sunburn, with
a reddened appearance of the skin
2ND-DEGREE BURNS: Similar to 1st degree but will also have blisters
3RD-DEGREE BURNS: May appear dry, stiff, and
leathery, and/or can also be white, brown, or black
What does HEADS stand for on the IED checklist?
H-Headaches and/or Vomiting
E- Ears Ringing
A- Amnesia, Altered Consciousness, and/or Loss of Consciousness
D- Double Vision and/or Dizziness
S- Something Feels Wrong or is Not Right
What are the differences in Capillary, veinous, and arterial color and blood flow? How would you treat each?
Capillary: The bleeding color can range from red to dark red and ooze or trickle from the injury. Main treatment is to bandage.
Veinous: The bleeding from venous wounds is usually dark red and flows steadily from the injury. Treatments may include pressure dressings, packing, etc.
Arterial: The bleeding from arterial wounds is often bright red and spurts in a pulsating projectile rhythm that matches the casualty’s heart rate. Main forms of treatment are torniquets and packing.
What is a contraindication for an NPA in an unconscious casualty?
Skull Fracture
When preforming a Needle decompression (NCD), this anatomical landmark should be avoided to reduce the risk of injury to major vessels or nerves.
Bottom of the rib
If someone has burns circumferentially to their entire lower body (from the waist down), what percent of their body is burned? (using the rule of nines)
40% (remember to round to the nearest tenth)
You pull a patient out of a burning vehicle after an IED blast. While performing your MARCH algorithm you find major arterial bleeding on their lower leg, most likely from the blast. You place a deliberate tourniquet on the left leg above the knee that stops all bleeding. You also place two chest seals one on the patient's chest and one on their back. You suspect these torso wounds are also from the blast. You see burns on their hands and forearms. Their airway seems patent, but when doing their second set of vitals you count fewer respirations going from 24 respirations to 32. You also suspect TBI due to the patient's confusion and dizziness. Patient has bilateral radial pulse. You have them wrapped in a blanket for hypothermia and have not administered pain meds.
M- IED blast
I- Atrial bleeding on lower left leg. Penetrating trauma to the front and back. Burns to hands and forearms.
S- Bilateral radial pulse. Patent airway. respirations at 32.
T- Tourniquet to left leg. Chest seal for torso penetrating trauma. Initiated hyperthermia treatment.