Army halts use of new battlefield first aid item

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: AP & Honolulu Advertiser

WASHINGTON (AP) — Until more testing can be done, Army medics are being told to stop using a new product just sent to the war front to help control bleeding among wounded troops.

Officials were in the process of distributing some 17,000 packets of WoundStat, granules that are poured into wounds when special bandages, tourniquets or other efforts won't work. But a recent study showed that, if used directly on injured blood vessels, the granules may lead to harmful blood clots, officials said Tuesday.

The Army Medical Command will continue its research and work with the manufacturer in hopes of figuring out in the next few months whether to resume use of WoundStat, said Col. Paul Cordts, head of Army health policy and services.

WoundStat manufacturer TraumaCure Inc., of Bethesda, Md., had no immediate comment.



Read more: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081223/BREAKING/81223012

[acmavm]

1. Why don't they do like the ancient Eqyptians and use honey?

Stops bleeding and honey is an anti-bacterial agent.

Oh wait! We've killed off all the bees so there might be a supply problem, mightn't there?

[DesertFlower]

2. i didn't know that.

i use golden seal powder.

[Soylent Brice]

3. Romans were big users of honey also.

only food that doesn't spoil.

[InkAddict]

6. But may contain salmonella???????

Not for consumption by babies who have an immature immune system.

[Posteritatis]

14. The lack of spoilage never ceases to amaze me (nt)

[Dead_Parrot]

8. The ancient Eqyptians...

...didn't import half their honey from China. Fuck knows what you're spreading on your toast.


Enjoy. :)

[knitter4democracy]

10. I only get mine from locals.

Michigan honey's the best. :)

[Posteritatis]

15. I have to try in order to see imported honey just about anywhere

Anyplace I've lived, any of the honey in the stores has been really close to its labelled source. I'll see imports now and then but even those are usually from an adjacent province or state, not the antipodes.

[defendandprotect]

13. Didn't know that ...but how could you sell crap & WoundStat if they did know-???

Keep 'em dumb and make $$$ --

Bushed FDA ---

[rocktivity]

4. Rushed into production?

An investigation into the manufacturer's financial ties might prove revealing.

:headbang:
rocknation

[The Sushi Bandit]

5. Valid point!

[Dead_Parrot]

7. I vaguely remember this stuff...

...from a paper years ago: Assuming it's the same thing, it artificially increases clotting speed, helping your body plug the leaks. If you're losing blood, even though a dressing, it'll turn the whole area into a scab in a few minutes and you can (in theory) be shuffled off to a med for proper treatment before you bleed to death.

Basically, it's a life saver.

Now it's true that if you get a limb blown off, sticking this stuff straight into the bloodstream could cause all sorts of shit: It's thrombosis in a bottle. The idea was that you apply a dressing, then the compound, then another dressing: It might be the front line troops haven't been trained enough to use it properly (Gosh, what a suprise).

Withdrawing it may well cost more lives than leaving it. But if there's a few million dollars in lawsuits to be lost, it may be cheaper to pull the stuff.

And hey, a few people will die. So what?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. I believe you are correct.

If it's only used in the most severe cases, then it's use it or die. It may be being used in less severe cases and that is where the problem lies I suspect.

David

[davsand]

11. Let them bleed out for sure or POSSIBLY cause them to throw a clot...

Seems pretty clear cut to me and I am no Doc.

Are they in such a rush they don't bother to teach basic first aid before they deploy these guys? Do they train these guys on anything any more or do they just hand them a gun, a full clip, and a sack lunch?

This is just so sad.


Laura

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

12. They have basic first aid in boot camp.

There are also Combat Lifesaver Courses which teach more advanced first aid. I'd guess about 5% of guys in front line units have combat lifesaver.

David

[hardtravelin]

16. All Basic Trainees graduate as Combat Lifesavers, now.

I would suspect that the rate in line units is closer to 90%.

[davsand]

17. I am glad to hear this.

After so many articles about lack of armor, problems with food supplies, and VA issues I didn't expect to hear anything positive about the level of training they are giving our guys before they send them into danger. If that extra classroom time saves ONE life it seems worth doing--ya know?

Our troops deserve every advantage we can give them, and lord knows their families back home deserve the small piece of mind that comes with knowing that there are folks there that know how to help if anything goes wrong.


Laura

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. Excellent.

It was voluntary for line guys when I taught it. Of course that was a long time ago.

David

[hardtravelin]

19. It does help with their confidence, as well

Also the new, Combat Application Tourniquet, has made a big difference with the treatment of wounded. In fact, that's pretty much what they're teaching for any serious wound, immediately apply the CAT.

I know that every Senior NCO on FT Benning that I know has to go every year and re-cert Combat Lifesaver. The full course is now every 2 years, instead of 3.

The sad thing is, we need it. I know a lot of guys who are amputees. The number you see around post is staggering.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

20. Question?

I've heard from several sources that the amputations are largely a result of IED's and not from the increased use of tourniquets. Do you have an opinion about that statement?

David

[hardtravelin]

21. Yes, I agree

My statement about the use of CAT's was in reference to the increase in survival rates due to amputation...the most common cause being IED's. In Iraq, most casualties are burn and traumatic blunt force/amputation related. This is definitely due to IED's and explosive ambushes employed by the enemy.

It is rare that we are engaged in "fire-fights." The enemy knws that is a non-starter for them. Bullet wounds are a relatively, low frequency injury.

I am not a Medic, just an Infantryman. My knowledge is completely worms-eye view and anecdotal.

Stay safe,