MEDIC IN ACTION
By: SomeRandomFireFighter

As the medic is having trouble clamping the artery, he has the CLS apply a pressure point above the wound at the hip joint in an effort to slow down or stop bleeding long enough for him to find the artery

The pressure point still does not hinder the blood flowing from the severed artery, so the medic has the CLS apply a tourniquet as far above the wound as possible.

A knot is tied in the tourniquet and a stick inserted to wind the tourniquet as tight as needed

The CLS then uses the wounded man's blood to draw a "T" (as well as the time of day) on the his forehead, indicating to other medical personnel that a tourniquet was applied and when. Tourniquet applied, the medic and CLS prepare to move the victim onto a litter with which he can be taken to a possible LZ for a CASEVAC (Casualty Evacuation Helicopter, usually a UH-60 Black Hawk but sometimes, as is the case with some Guard units, a UH-1 Huey). Depending on the extent of his injuries, he will be taken to a BAS (Battalion Aid Station) or a CSH (Combat Support Hospital), where he is stabilized before being moved to a permanent hospital in-theatre or an airfield where he is transferred to a dedicated C-130 or C-17 along with other wounded which will be flown stateside or to an out-of-theatre hospital.

Nice work my friend. We definitely don't get a lot of photo sets like this one around here. It's always good to see some pics of the medics in action though and you've taken some very nice ones here. Special thanks for sending them in and sharing them with us. - GL

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