Equipment - Personal equipment

---

The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

All personnel are equipped with bandages to provide initial treatment for wounds until they can receive more advanced medical care. There are four distinct types of bandages, each varying in the time required for application and the duration of effectiveness. 

• Elastic bandages are recommended for situations where quick application is crucial, despite their lower durability. 
• QuikClot bandages are best for long-lasting wound protection, offering the highest endurance. 
• Packing bandages present a balanced option, optimising for application speed, wound coverage, and durability.

Field dressings also known as Bandage (Basic) are the most fundamental type of bandages available to us, primarily used for managing low-priority wounds quickly, as well as for treating crush and puncture wounds effectively.

Above: A Field Dressing as seen in the inventory

Elastic bandages are valued for their rapid application and effectiveness in temporarily closing wounds. They are often the preferred choice in scenarios involving severely injured individuals or mass casualty incidents because of their speed of use. However, their low durability means they must be replaced frequently. Since they do not promote blood coagulation, once they come off, bleeding is likely to restart.

Above: A Elastic Bandage as seen in the inventory

Packing bandages, although not quite as efficient as elastic bandages in closing wounds, offer significantly greater durability. This feature makes them ideal for situations where a medic is unable to suture wounds promptly. Like elastic bandages, packing bandages also do not promote blood coagulation.

Above: A Packing Bandage as seen in the inventory

QuikClot bandages are notably less efficient at closing wounds compared to elastic bandages, requiring more time and patience for application. This makes them a slower option than both elastic and packing bandages. However, QuikClot bandages offer significant advantages: they are durable and facilitate blood coagulation, allowing for a "set and forget" approach to wound care. This characteristic is especially valuable in scenarios with fewer wounds or when Combat Life Savers (CLS) or medical personnel are not immediately available. It's important to note, however, that QuikClot bandages are slightly less effective on crush and laceration wounds.

Above: A QuickClot Bandage as seen in the inventory

Combat Life Saver

A CCL including the following additional items:

Combat Medic

A CCL including the following additional items:

Squad Medic

As per Combat Medic, with the following changes:

• Norepinephrine: +4 units minimal, +8 units optimal.
• Phenylephrine: +4 units minimal, +6 units optimal.
• Pulse Oximeter: +1

Platoon Medic

A CCL including the following additional items:

SF Medic

A CCL including the following additional items:

Technicians from a Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) and Combat Medical Team (CMT)

All roles must contain a CCL in addition to:

• MERT roles may in addition include Flight Crew uniforms/helmets

MERT/CMT Leader/Officer

• Long Range Radio
• CCL
• The same medical equipment as the technicians above.

Tourniquets are used to restrict blood flow to an injured limb, effectively halting bleeding as a temporary measure. This is particularly useful in situations where a casualty has multiple wounds, allowing you to prioritise which injuries to address first. 

However, tourniquets also have drawbacks: they make it impossible to check the pulse or blood pressure in the affected limb. Moreover, if left in place for an extended period, they can cause significant pain. Additionally, tourniquets inhibit the administration of medications and the performance of blood transfusions to the injured limb.

Above: A Tourniquet as seen in the inventory

Splints are designed to support broken limbs, enabling a partial restoration of the limb's mobility and function as a temporary solution until more comprehensive treatment can be administered.

Above: A Splint as seen in the inventory

Personal Aid Kits (PAK) represent a significant advancement in medical technology, providing medics with the capability to fully restore a patient's vital signs and bodily functions. In practice, this means healing all wounds and mending broken limbs. However, the use of PAKs necessitates medical expertise and typically requires support from medical vehicles or facilities to ensure proper application.

Above: A Personal Aid Kit (PAK) as seen in the inventory