United States Air Force Casualty Collection Points: Critical Manning Better Spent Elsewhere
Abstract
The Air Force Medical Service's dispersed casualty collection point policy offers limited gains to air base support and survivability of the wounded. Historical review of air base attacks indicates that modern aircraft range and refueling capability have allowed air bases to remain far to the rear and thereby significantly reduced the risk of future base attacks. If one was to occur, self-aid and buddy care will provide the first aid to the wounded, and they would be transported directly to the hospital. Because the distance from any work center on base and the hospital is so short, an intermediate stop at a casualty collection point would increase the interval between injury and definitive surgery, and therefore decrease survivability. It will be essential to the success of future conflicts that critically limited medical manning is concentrated at the hospital and not divided between various tasks to include 1-3 casualty collection points as the policy has been designed. This will optimize the care for the base wounded and maximize efficiencies for the constant flow of wounded out of the theater of battle, into the hospital, and up the echelons of care. This review of the literature has provided the expertise and arguments to suggest a change in Air Force policy concerning the use and manning of casualty control points that will result in more efficient use of limited manpower and improved morbidity and mortality during times of armed conflict. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Air Force, but are solely those of the author.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA387311
Entities
People
- Lee G. Saltzgaber
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology