TIMS (Trauamatic Injury Management Skills)

Excellent article Mercop. You make many valid points. On "adding to the basic kit", that is one of my faults. I would/do add sanitary napkins. They make excellent trauma pressure pads to control bleeding.

Codger (AKA: Doctor Dad)
 
I updated my combat lifesaver stuff a few months ago and notice that the army has changed its views. Before it was all about getting a IV into the person, and the Tourniquet a last thing. Now Tourniquet
is 1st priority. STOPPING the bleeding is 1st. To many people bleeding out
 
Good stuff.. My first EMT instructor said it best... as long as the air goes in and out, and the red stuff goes round and round.. you;ve done your job.
 
Codger_64 said:
I would/do add sanitary napkins. They make excellent trauma pressure pads to control bleeding.

Codger (AKA: Doctor Dad)
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Good advice, also given by former colleagues of mine.

Actually, the contents of a woman's bag is often a treasure trove of stuff you can improvise for emergencies.
 
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I carry basically that same stuff whether hiking, rock climbing, or in the truck, plus a trauma dressing or two. Since adding "sports tape", I've stopped carrying band-aids.
Interested in learning more, though. I wouldn't mind something for stabilizing a limb(beyond ACE bandages), and have been giving thought to compound fractures, and how I'd deal with them.
My combat lifesaver course was 19 years ago, and I've only had basic first aid/CPR and HAZMAT courses since.
 
One important point that you touched on is asking if it's safe to render aid - in two situations now, I've started to rush in before realizing that it was not immediately safe.

One was a downed power line, the other, was....traffic. Cars keep driving :)

Thanks for posting, a nice refresher.
 
hey mercop that is the best condensed info i've ever seen. so definitive & quick that is easily remembered --even for a 71 yr. kat like myself. i've learned at a ripe age that simple hunting & fishing trips can go to hell in a second.thank you
dennis
 
DennisStrickland said:
hey mercop that is the best condensed info i've ever seen. so definitive & quick that is easily remembered --even for a 71 yr. kat like myself. i've learned at a ripe age that simple hunting & fishing trips can go to hell in a second.thank you
dennis
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Thanks, I only understand simple:o

Good thought on adding hyperthermia
 
Good article Sir. I commend you. I have read several of your articles and learned alot. I'm a Paramedic, I wrote TACTICAL MEDICINE and just finished my next one, THE PREPARED MEDIC. We've met before, I just can't remember where. The MARCH Pneumonic is actually the way the English / Brits work their Battlefield Medicine. I learned of it first from the SAS and dealings with them. We don't actually put amputated digits anymore on ice though ? We usually put them in a bag in cool, clean water. Ice can damage tissues. Initially for steps to control bleeding, direct pressure with elevation and pressure dressing covers alot, if not 90% of non-amputations or partials. The wound can always be packed if it's irregularly shaped. When I place a TQ, we want no distal blood flow below it. No blood flow below that TQ is the goal. The TQ should never be placed at a joint and the rule of thumb is to allow as much flesh for the surgeons to work with as possible.........Again thank you for the article. I hope we are able to meet again some time. Stay safe.
 
I recommend EMSA and CPR for everyone. They should be H.S. graduation requirements honestly.
 
Miketm said:
Good article Sir. I commend you. I have read several of your articles and learned alot. I'm a Paramedic, I wrote TACTICAL MEDICINE and just finished my next one, THE PREPARED MEDIC. We've met before, I just can't remember where. The MARCH Pneumonic is actually the way the English / Brits work their Battlefield Medicine. I learned of it first from the SAS and dealings with them. We don't actually put amputated digits anymore on ice though ? We usually put them in a bag in cool, clean water. Ice can damage tissues. Initially for steps to control bleeding, direct pressure with elevation and pressure dressing covers alot, if not 90% of non-amputations or partials. The wound can always be packed if it's irregularly shaped. When I place a TQ, we want no distal blood flow below it. No blood flow below that TQ is the goal. The TQ should never be placed at a joint and the rule of thumb is to allow as much flesh for the surgeons to work with as possible.........Again thank you for the article. I hope we are able to meet again some time. Stay safe.
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I stand corrected. Again, I am a lay person. Just been on the scene of some shitty situations on and off duty. Four months ago my son wrecked his four wheeler, I got to him first and thought he had broken his neck. Luckily that was not the case. Just a broken clavicle and concussion. But he is a heart patient and has epilepsy. Knowing how to give a proper report to the paramedics definitely expedited the process. They had aviation wave off when he became alert and consciousness. Prior to their arrival I had already cut his chest protector and clothes off of him so I could get a better visual inspection of his body for injuries. I was able to send my Dad back to the house for my sheers which were in my TIMS kit. He had no problem finding it.

I will make note of your comments and amend my article. - George
 
Thank you Mercop, that is a very incisive and succinct guide.

I don't know as much about this subject as I would like, so I appreciate things like this that make the basic concepts easily digestible.
 
I apologize, I'm not here to correct. I'm here to learn. Sometimes my words come out a little bit stronger than intended..........wow, that is unfortunate about your son. I hope that he is well now. From what you describe, I would have flown him to a Trauma Center. Mechanism (ATV Accident) coupled with his altered mental status initially warrant a Traumatologist, and Neurosurgeon. You sound like you nailed the initial contact with him which is very important........
 
Miketm said:
I apologize, I'm not here to correct. I'm here to learn. Sometimes my words come out a little bit stronger than intended..........wow, that is unfortunate about your son. I hope that he is well now. From what you describe, I would have flown him to a Trauma Center. Mechanism (ATV Accident) coupled with his altered mental status initially warrant a Traumatologist, and Neurosurgeon. You sound like you nailed the initial contact with him which is very important........
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Brother, I took it exactly as you meant it. I put a ton of information out and am used to usually being corrected by people who have read a bunch books, and watched DVDs on subjects but never actually done them. Kind of like a first year med student. All that book learning can get in the way of education.

Anyone who checks my site will notice I teach Personal Protectionism and Preparedness. I was teaching a combative pistol class in IN earlier this year, I had a bunch of folks who had trained with me before. We got done with the classroom and moved down to the range. Once we were down there I asked who had their TIMS kits. About 90% of the people who had trained with me before had theirs. I was proud:) We promote a lifestyle and mindset, not a just training.

I have zero use for someone who carries a gun, spare mag, OC Sray, a knife on them..but cannot locate a band aid in their house, much less a FAK in their bag/car - George
 
Yep, that is why I make it mandatory I attend at least one defensive small arms course per year, one survival course, and one EMS course each year. Just finished a Defensive Handgun tune up course and Intermedate Defensive Carbine course, am signed up for another NOLS Wild Med class, and just completed a ten day Survival course & three day intensive map 'n compass course.

Been doing this regiment of training for longer than I can remember and it never get's old. I love the fact that my spouse attends most of these classes with me as well!
 
You would probably like my carbine course. No multicam costumes or chest rigs, unless that is what you do for a living. Everything is done with the rifle and a spare mag in your reaction side pocket. I have no interest in the fantasy of fast roping off the space shuttle whacking tangos no matter how much crap it sells:)- George
 
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