In this conversation, Dennis interviews Victor about his experiences in Burma and his work with Free Burma Rangers. Victor discusses the changing dynamics of the conflict in Burma and the progress made by ethnic forces. He also talks about his role as a medic and the challenges of teaching combat medicine to indigenous groups. Victor emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics and tailoring training to the specific needs of the students. He shares his experiences with teaching pressure points, tourniquets, casualty drags, and blood collection. Victor also reflects on the challenges of triage and decision-making in a mass casualty situation. During the conversation, Victor shares several lessons learned from his trip to Burma. He discusses the importance of going back to the basics and relying on ground reconnaissance when operating without ISR capabilities. He also highlights the need for movement and noise discipline to avoid detection by the enemy's reconnaissance planes and jets. Victor emphasizes the significance of good topside cover and concealment to protect against airstrikes and mortar attacks. He also talks about the challenges of providing prolonged field care and the importance of being mentally sharp and prepared for the continuous cycle of problems that arise during operations. Victor mentions the disbursement of medical equipment and the need for contingency plans in case of CCP destruction. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the realities and complexities of operating in a hostile environment with limited resources.

Takeaways

The ethnic forces in Burma have been gaining ground and achieving significant victories in the conflict.

Teaching combat medicine to indigenous groups requires focusing on the basics and tailoring training to their specific needs.

Training on pressure points, tourniquets, casualty drags, and blood collection were essential for the indigenous groups in Burma.

Triage and decision-making in a mass casualty situation can be challenging, but it is important to prioritize casualties based on their chances of survival. Rely on ground reconnaissance and basic skills when operating without ISR capabilities

Maintain movement and noise discipline to avoid detection by enemy aircraft

Seek good topside cover and concealment to protect against airstrikes and mortar attacks

Be mentally sharp and prepared for the continuous cycle of problems during operations

Disburse medical equipment strategically and have contingency plans in case of CCP destruction

Here are some clips from Victor's experiences:

https://youtu.be/dBkTziMluyk?si=DIwvc-SAHCJ81hSM https://youtu.be/wNKHL_OJ4TMsi=vC1WoJWH_hhKme1h Thank you to Delta Development Team for in part, sponsoring this podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deltadevteam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more content go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prolongedfieldcare.org⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ Consider supporting us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

This podcast episode focuses on the importance of measuring urine output as a cheap and effective method for monitoring hemodynamics in prolonged field care. The hosts discuss the benefits of using a Foley catheter for urine measurement and emphasize the need for proper sterility during the procedure. They also touch on the topic of hypotensive resuscitation and the challenges of managing patients with low blood pressure in a prolonged field care setting.

Takeaways

Measuring urine output is a simple and cost-effective way to monitor a patient's hemodynamic status in a prolonged field care setting.

A Foley catheter is a reliable tool for measuring urine output and can provide valuable information about a patient's overall health.

Proper sterility is important when inserting a Foley catheter to prevent infections.

Hypotensive resuscitation is a complex topic that requires further discussion and consideration in the context of prolonged field care.

Thank you to Delta Development Team for in part, sponsoring this podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deltadevteam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more content go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prolongedfieldcare.org⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ Consider supporting us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care

In this conversation, Dennis and Doug discuss crush syndrome and the challenges it presents in dynamic environments such as natural disasters or man-made incidents. They emphasize the importance of scene safety and the need to assess and stabilize any other traumatic injuries before addressing crush syndrome. They also discuss the use of tourniquets and the potential risks and benefits associated with their application. The conversation covers the management of crush syndrome, including fluid resuscitation, monitoring for cardiac complications, and the use of calcium and sodium bicarbonate. They highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, considering factors such as time of response and the presence of other injuries. In this conversation, Dennis and Doug discuss the management of crush syndrome in a resource-limited setting. They cover topics such as tourniquet use, fluid resuscitation, potassium management, and the use of sodium bicarbonate. They also touch on wound management and the importance of antibiotics. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the use of insulin and dextrose, as well as albuterol, in managing cardiac instability. Overall, the conversation provides a comprehensive overview of the management of crush syndrome in a challenging environment.

Takeaways

Scene safety is paramount in crush syndrome situations, and rescuers should be aware of potential hazards such as secondary devices, unstable structures, and chemical releases.

Assessing and stabilizing any other traumatic injuries is crucial before addressing crush syndrome.

The use of tourniquets in crush syndrome is a topic of debate, and a protocol should be in place to reassess their necessity and remove them as soon as possible.

Fluid resuscitation is important in managing crush syndrome, and the amount and rate of fluid administration should be based on the patient's condition and available resources.

Monitoring for cardiac complications, such as arrhythmias and acidosis, is essential, and interventions such as calcium and sodium bicarbonate may be necessary.

A comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment is necessary, considering factors such as time of response and the presence of other injuries. Tourniquets can be used to manage crush syndrome in the lower extremities, but there is a risk of unnecessary amputations.

Fluid resuscitation is important in stabilizing the patient and increasing urine output.

Sodium bicarbonate can be used to manage metabolic acidosis and improve the effectiveness of vasopressors.

Calcium can be given to stabilize cardiac rhythm, and insulin and dextrose can be used to manage high potassium levels.

Albuterol can be used to treat respiratory acidosis, but it may be challenging to administer in a resource-limited setting.

Thank you to Delta Development Team for in part, sponsoring this podcast. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deltadevteam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more content go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.prolongedfieldcare.org⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ Consider supporting us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ProlongedFieldCareCollective⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠www.lobocoffeeco.com/product-page/prolonged-field-care