Holding a Life Longer

Credit: Jorge Gomez | Date Taken: 04/15/2021
Combat medics are the first responders on the battlefield, trained to stabilize traumatic injuries of a fellow Soldier while dodging bullets, shrapnel and explosives. Their goal is to secure a casualty enough to ship back to the field hospital by medical evacuation (or medevac). However, the complexity of combat operations sometimes make the "golden hour" unattainable. At Fort Riley, Irwin Army Community Hospital and the 1st Infantry Division are responding to the need to provide patient care for extended periods of time when evacuation or mission requirements surpass available capabilities and/or capacity to provide that care.