Posted on Aug 29, 2016
Survival rates improving for Soldiers wounded in combat, says Army surgeon general
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This is great to hear. Field medical treatment has come a long way since there have been wars. At a 92% survival rate, that is phenomenal. Thank God for helicopters and modern medicine.
WASHINGTON — About 92 percent of Soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have made it home alive, according to Army Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West.
That's the highest percentage in the history of warfare, despite the rising severity of battle injuries from increasingly lethal weapons, said West, Surgeon general of the Army and commander of Army Medical Command. She recently spoke to a meeting of the Defense Writer's Group, here.
The survival rate in Vietnam was around 75 percent, she told her audience.
WASHINGTON — About 92 percent of Soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have made it home alive, according to Army Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West.
That's the highest percentage in the history of warfare, despite the rising severity of battle injuries from increasingly lethal weapons, said West, Surgeon general of the Army and commander of Army Medical Command. She recently spoke to a meeting of the Defense Writer's Group, here.
The survival rate in Vietnam was around 75 percent, she told her audience.
Survival rates improving for Soldiers wounded in combat, says Army surgeon general
Posted from health.mil
Survival
Medical
Warfare
Wounded Warriors
Posted >1 y ago
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I am no expert, when I did training for combat lifesaver the instructors made it a point to compare the differences of Vietnam to now. Saying that we should take heed to how we can try to stop hemorrhaging, or bleeding out (they didn't like that widely used term). We were taught to perform various functions to try and control bleeding, with tools on hand or even improvised. There are technologies like quick clot to get stuffed into wounds. My only gripe as while doing Infantry stuff, was to my fellow battle buddies that were EMS/EMT/FF's/Nurses whatever the case, we had at least one Combat Medic and as rule of security it was taught that we should secure the AO before rendering aid, as tough as that may sound. I guess my point is that I agree based on what I've heard and my first thought are because of the increased ability to control the bleeding compared to previous wars, and it is because of those previous wars that we've gotten to where we are today. Granted, this is well and good and to be celebrated, this doesn't include the lives lost.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thanks for your great response SPC James Harsh. I'm happy to hear our experiences have reflected better ways to save lives.
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The article I just wrote for the ssgtnichols.com website talked about this very thing. My research indicated that the survival rate from Afghan and Iraq combined was 87.3%, which is still a great improvement over Viet Nam (77%). Yes, advances in training, gear, and procedures have absolutely made a difference. Good article.
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SGT (Join to see)
It's come a long long way since other wars. Men and women returning to the war with artificial legs and arms, doing the job. Amazing.
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