I have just added a TC3 class to the training schedule. Here is an introduction to the subject:
Some of this is straight from US Army 68W Combat Medical protocols, some of it is at the CLS (Combat Lifesaver) level, and there is a bit of opinion thrown in there too…..it is partly excerpted from the chapter in ‘Contact!: A Tactical manual for Post Collapse Survival‘ on casualties.
This post would be usefully read along with ‘SHTF Combat Casualty – Considerations & Realities‘. Remember that these TC3 protocols assume evacuation to definitive care (Combat Hospital), so in the absence of that you have other factors to consider. The linked post delves into that a little
Unlike the normal ABC medical protocol that you will have heard about, the combat protocol for trauma situations is M-A-R-C-H, which puts Massive Hemorrhage before Airway, if it is indicated, but still includes Circulation for less serious bleeds and IVs. The other big difference is tourniquets: tourniquets used to be considered a tool of last resort. Now they are considered a tool of first resort in a combat environment. The following article is a basic summary.
M -Massive Hemorrhage
A – Airway
R – Respiration
C – Circulation
H – Hypothermia
(This used to be H-A-B-C. Hemorrhage-Airway-Breathing-Circulation. Pretty much the same thing).
