Introduction to the Medical Evacuation System

INTRODUCTION

As a soldier medic you must be familiar with the medical evacuation system so that timely evacuation and definitive care can be rendered to the casualties that you treat.

Medical Evacuation System

The purpose of the Medical Evacuation System is to ensure that the sick and injured are moved quickly into and through the Combat Health Support system

The preponderance of soldiers who die in combat do so within minutes due to penetrating trauma and hemorrhage

In order to save lives prompt localization, resuscitation and stabilization, followed by timely/rapid evacuation of casualties is essential

Soldiers on the dispersed and non-linear battlefield are subject to increased evacuation legs

Medical evacuation encompasses

(1) Collecting the wounded

(2) Casualty assessment

(3) Casualty stabilization

(4) Sorting (Triage) and prioritizing

(5) Reporting location and casualty status

(6) Anticipating complications and being ready to perform emergency medical intervention

The benefits of an efficient medical evacuation system are

(1) Minimizes mortality by rapidly and efficiently moving the sick , injured, and wounded to a MTF

(2) Quickly clears the battlefield enabling the tactical commander to continue his mission

(3) Builds the morale of the soldiers by demonstrating that care is quickly available if they are wounded

(4) Provides en route medical care that is essential for improving the prognosis and reducing disability of wounded, injured, or ill soldiers

Additional benefits of an efficient medical evacuation system are

(1) Provide timely resupply of medical supplies through the backhaul method using returning ambulances

(2) Acts as a carrier of medical records and resupply requests

(3) Provides transportation of medical personnel and equipment

Medical evacuation is performed by dedicated medical vehicles and aircraft that are staffed with medical personnel who provide en-route medical care.

(1) Medical evacuation is conducted using vehicles specifically designed to provide en-route medical care

(2) The provision of en route care on medically equipped vehicles or aircraft enhances casualty survivability

Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) is a term used by nonmedical units to refer to the movement of casualties aboard nonmedical vehicles or aircraft.

(1) En-route care is limited to the equipment carried by the individual providing care

(a) Combat Lifesavers

(b) Buddy aid

(2) The decision to use this form of casualty transport is a decision made by the commander based on

(a) Availability of organic medical platoon evacuation assets

(b) The number of casualties

Medical regulating is the tool used to identify patient's awaiting evacuation to the next echelon of medical care, it:

(a) Coordinates and controls the movement of patients through the echelons of care

(b) Includes the functions of casualty reporting and accountability

Echelons of medical care

Combat health support is arranged in echelons of care. Each echelon reflects an increase in medical capabilities while retaining the capabilities found in the preceding echelon

Capabilities of each echelon consist of

(1) Echelon I. The first medical care that a soldier receives is provided at Echelon I. This echelon of care includes:

(a) Immediate far forward care

(b) Disease in nonbattle injury prevention(DNBI)

(d) Patient collection

(e) Medical evacuation from supported units to supporting Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs)

(f) Treatment provided by designated combat medics or treatment squads (Battalion Aid Stations [BASs]) in conventional forces

(2) Echelon II. At this echelon, care is provided at the clearing stations which are operated by the treatment platoons of the medical company. This echelon of care includes.

(a) Emergency medical treatment including beginning resuscitation is continued

(b) Additional emergency measures are instituted but do not go beyond the measures dictated by immediate necessities

(d) Limited X-ray, laboratory, and dental capabilities are present here

(3) Echelon III. At this echelon the casualty is treated in an MTF staffed and equipped to provide resuscitation, initial wound surgery, and post operative treatment.

(4) Echelon IV. At Echelon IV, the patient is treated in a hospital staffed and equipped for general and specialized medical and surgical care to stabilize the patient for further evacuation out of theatre.

(4) Echelon V. Echelon V care is provided by support base hospitals generally located outside the theatre of operations.

It is the medical evacuation system that moves casualties/patients into and through each echelon of medical care provided

SUMMARY

In this lesson, we have identified the basics of evacuation. Further detail on evacuation techniques and procedures will follow, however a basic understanding is essential. Your knowledge will result in timely evacuation and definitive care.