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Austere Medicine

This course equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge to provide medical care in resource-limited, remote, or otherwise challenging environments. It focuses on practical, hands-on training to ensure that participants are prepared to handle a wide range of medical emergencies and situations.

Topics

Basic Skills (4 hrs)

  • Basic Austere Trauma:​

    • Hemorrhage control

  • Patient Assessment:

    • Primary and secondary survey techniques

    • Vital signs monitoring

    • Injury and illness recognition

  • Wound Care and Management:

    • Cleaning and dressing wounds

    • Suturing and stapling techniques

  • Splinting and Fracture Management:

    • Immobilization techniques for fractures and dislocations

    • Improvised splinting methods

    • Assessment and treatment of soft tissue injuries

Intermediate Skills (6 hrs)

  • Advanced Trauma Management:

    • Chest injuries (e.g., tension pneumothorax, sucking chest wounds)

    • Abdominal and pelvic trauma

    • Shock management and fluid resuscitation

  • Environmental Injuries:

    • Hypothermia and hyperthermia management

    • Altitude sickness

    • Bites and stings (e.g., snake bites, insect stings)

  • Infectious Diseases:

    • Recognition and management of common infectious diseases

    • Infection control measures in austere settings

  • Burn Management:

    • Assessment of burn severity

    • First aid and wound care

Advanced Skills (hrs vary)

  • Mental Health and Psychological First Aid:

    • Recognizing signs of stress and trauma

    • Providing support and stabilization

    • Referral and evacuation considerations

  • Improvised Medical Techniques:

    • Using available materials for medical care

    • Creating and using makeshift medical equipment

    • Adapting standard procedures to austere environments

  • Medical Documentation and Communication:

    • Documenting medical care in the field

    • Communicating medical information to other providers

    • Reporting and transferring patient information during evacuation

  • Specialized Medical Scenarios:​

    • Pediatric care in austere environments

    • Managing chronic conditions with limited resources

    • Evaquation Planning

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