This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2016) |
Combat medics of the United States military may put themselves at greater risk than many other roles on the battlefield. In recent conflicts, the enemies faced by a professional army (often insurgents) may not have respect for the laws of war and may actively target combat medics for the significant value they have in keeping the unit combat-effective. Since the non-combatant status granted to medics may not always be respected, modern combat medics carry weapons for personal defense and in most Western armies are virtually indistinguishable from regular infantrymen.
While many historical medics were unarmed and marked, most modern medics are unmarked, and armed with smallarms. Chaplains can also carry weapons to defend themselves. The First Geneva Convention forbids attacks on medical units even under the conditions:
The Combat Medic is commonly referred to as "Doc." Within a combat unit, they function as a member of an infantry platoon up until the point that one of their comrades is wounded. Therefore, the Medic carries basically what a Rifleman or any other soldier carries. The basic equipment of a US Army medic usually consists of:
A combat medic will typically carry a backpack styled bag known as a "Unit One Pack". Aid bags are available from many different manufacturers, in many different styles. Depending on the unit and their standard operating procedures, the medic may have to follow a strict packing list, or may have the liberty of choosing their kit depending on the mission at hand. A typical aid bag will include:
Fluid Resuscitation
Hemorrhage (blood loss) Control
Airway Management
Assorted Equipment
Personal Protection
Triage Systems
Diagnostic Equipment
Casualty Management
Splinting and Immobilization
Hypothermia Prevention
Battlefield Medicine
• Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic, used to stop the breakdown of blood clots.
A combat medic is generally expected to care for the needs of the soldiers in his group, including their everyday ailments. A medic will usually carry a small amount of what are referred to as "snivel" or "sick call meds." These are common over-the-counter medications that do not require a prescription.
This article needs additional citations for
verification. (June 2016) |
Combat medics of the United States military may put themselves at greater risk than many other roles on the battlefield. In recent conflicts, the enemies faced by a professional army (often insurgents) may not have respect for the laws of war and may actively target combat medics for the significant value they have in keeping the unit combat-effective. Since the non-combatant status granted to medics may not always be respected, modern combat medics carry weapons for personal defense and in most Western armies are virtually indistinguishable from regular infantrymen.
While many historical medics were unarmed and marked, most modern medics are unmarked, and armed with smallarms. Chaplains can also carry weapons to defend themselves. The First Geneva Convention forbids attacks on medical units even under the conditions:
The Combat Medic is commonly referred to as "Doc." Within a combat unit, they function as a member of an infantry platoon up until the point that one of their comrades is wounded. Therefore, the Medic carries basically what a Rifleman or any other soldier carries. The basic equipment of a US Army medic usually consists of:
A combat medic will typically carry a backpack styled bag known as a "Unit One Pack". Aid bags are available from many different manufacturers, in many different styles. Depending on the unit and their standard operating procedures, the medic may have to follow a strict packing list, or may have the liberty of choosing their kit depending on the mission at hand. A typical aid bag will include:
Fluid Resuscitation
Hemorrhage (blood loss) Control
Airway Management
Assorted Equipment
Personal Protection
Triage Systems
Diagnostic Equipment
Casualty Management
Splinting and Immobilization
Hypothermia Prevention
Battlefield Medicine
• Tranexamic acid, an antifibrinolytic, used to stop the breakdown of blood clots.
A combat medic is generally expected to care for the needs of the soldiers in his group, including their everyday ailments. A medic will usually carry a small amount of what are referred to as "snivel" or "sick call meds." These are common over-the-counter medications that do not require a prescription.