Operations / Headquarters
COMREP OP VERTEX 5 - Specific Medical System Information

Following the Roadmapped announcement about "Make Medics Great Again!" with this being quite a core mechanic change we've had some further discussions within the ORGCOC today and we've updated those plans which we're going to deploy to Operation Vertex 5, here are all the important details. We'll review this from AARs from Vertex 5, for subsequent operations.

 

Background

This relates to Roadmap Item #47, Medical System Update the purpose of which is "To review the medical system to ensure it is challenging enough to players and rewarding enough for medics."

The initial proposed settings for Vertex 5 involved the reduction of access to medical equipment to non-medics both in loadouts and in the arsenal. This was assumed to be the easier path to take versus changing medical settings. On-review, this appears not to be the case and so further revision is needed. To be clear, no change will now be made to the arsenal, although loadouts will have minor changes.

 

 

Medical Settings (click for link to full settings)

• Wound Re-opening has been enabled and we've reduced the chance of this happening by 50% so we can monitor gradual changes. This means you'll need to see a medic at some point to deal with any wounds for a more permanent solution but that you can continue to bandage yourself to deal with it in the mean time. The most effective bandage for non-medics now is the QuickClot, so all default loadouts have been changed to this. Stitch kits are set as re-usable and are usable by both CLS and Squad/Platoon Medics who have one.
   
• Combat Lifesavers now have a defined function which takes up the majority of their core combat load, so to help with that and to give Squad and Platoon Medics a more defined function in addition to Personal Aid Kits, Combat Life Savers cannot administer IVs such as Blood, but Squad Medics can and Squad and Platoon Medics will carry the blood supply, while all personnel continue to carry Personal Aid Kits, the senior medics will carry a few spare.

 

Loadouts

• Replaced default loadouts which contained Elastic Bandages with QuickClots, they are more effective against reopening.
   
• Combat Lifesaver loadout is updated; (click for link to full loadout)
  • 6 White Smokes
  • 4-6 Purple Smokes
  • 60x QuickClots
  • 30x each specialist bandage type
  • 20x Morphine
  • 10x Epinephrine
  • 20x Splint
  • 1x Stitch Kit
  • 15x Tourniquet

 

• Senior (Squad/Platoon) Medic loadout is updated; (click for link to full loadout)
  • 6 White Smokes
  • 4-6 Purple Smokes
  • 10x 500ml IV
  • 5x 1000ml IV
  • 5x Personal Aid Kit
  • 30x QuickClots
  • 25x each specialist bandage type
  • 15x Morphine
  • 10x Epinephrine
  • 10x Splint
  • 1x Stitch Kit
  • 10x Tourniquet

 

 

ORBAT Changes

• Each infantry squad should have as a minimum 1 Squad Medic and 1 Combat Lifesaver, the Squad Medic can roam to service one of the fireteams as required, but if demand is there, or the Field Leader anticipates a requirement, a CLS can be in both teams, for a total of 3 Medics per Squad (1 SM, 2 CLS).

 

Summary

Summarised below, are the per-role differences. Which have the added benefit of interlocking with the current triage states, each level of medical ability aligns with a triage state.

 

• Non-medical personnel, no major change from normal but there is a chance that your wounds will now re-open; so without a medic to stitch them, you will use more medical supplies. QuickClot should be your all-rounder bandage unless you know which specific bandages to use. A combat lifesaver from your Fireteam or Squad will stitch you to stop wounds from re-opening.
  
  This means non medical personnel mostly deal with casualties in the MINIMAL triage state.
  For a breakdown of triage states click here
  
   
• Combat Lifesavers your primary function is to stop bleeding, using your advanced knowledge of the types of wounds and applying the most effective dressings to treat them, and then stitching the patient to prevent the re-opening of wounds. For immediate and delayed casualties, you also continue as before administer morphine and Epinephrine as required to resuscitate. You can no longer administer blood unless you are onboard medical vehicle or facility, so in the field you'll need the Squad or Platoon medic. So there is incentive to prevent blood loss. The space in your loadout used for blood previously, allows you to carry purple smokes to mark mass casualty sites, and plenty of bandages, splints and a stitch kit.
  
  This means Combat Lifesavers deal with casualties in the DELAYED+ triage state.
  For a breakdown of triage states click here
  
   
• Squad / Platoon Medics your new role is to provide IV to deal with heavy blood loss of IMMEDIATE and DELAYED casualties, you can also provide the same function as a CLS, meaning you'll also carry a stitch kit - and an assortment of bandages, as well as additional PAKs. As before, you'll be able to PAK patients at the medical facilities. You carry the sole blood supply for the Squad. Because the Senior Medic role includes the abilities of it's junior ones, when required, you can perform all other medical proceedures as needed.
  
  This means Medics deal with casualties in the IMMEDIATE- triage state.
  For a breakdown of triage states click here

 

 

Practices / Re-training

Medics for Vertex 5 and beyond will be briefed during the pre-deployment phase, and a Medical Practice will be forthcoming once the SOP is settled, as alterations may need to be made based on Summary of AARs. There is a minimal change, since we've been using Advanced Wounds for over 10 months, so switching your default bandage from Elastic to QuickClot negates the majority of this re-training once the Surgical Kit is used. However understanding which bandage to use, yeilds ultimate efficiency and so this is what we'll focus on.

Obviously, we've used this system before the ACE Update in January 2020, so it won't be new to most people, but some refreshers will be needed no doubt.

 

After Action Reports

Please ensure that you place a summary of this system in your After Action Report for Operation Vertex 5, if you are on the ORBAT. Alterations to this may be made for subsequent operations as required and based on AAR Summary from each.

 

Major James
Chairman
UNITAF

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