Page 3 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2015

from the
PUBLISHER

t is with great sadness that we dedi- Matthew J. Levy, DO, MSc, FACEP,
Icate the Fall JSOM to Dr. Norman NRP, provides an introduction to the ac-
McSwain; he will be greatly missed by tions of the Stop the Bleeding Coalition,
all who knew him. on page 126. Through the past two de-
cades of global conflict, we have learned
n n n Michelle DuGuay Landers that lives can be saved through the im-
On a happier note, the JSOM staff mediate correction of life-threatening
would like to congratulate both LTC Bob Mabry and emergencies; perhaps the best example of this is hem-
Master Chief Steve Viola. That’s all I will say . . . for orrhage control. Translating and implementing the con-
more information go to the From the SOMA President cepts of self-care/buddy-care to civilian society remain
on page 121. a challenge. The concept of public access hemorrhage
control incorporates education on how to stop bleeding
n n n
with the strategic positioning of hemorrhage control re-
In This Issue, we are premiering the new Ongoing Series, sources (bags containing tourniquets, hemostatic dress-
“Prolonged Field Care.” As mentioned in the Summer ings, gloves, CPR masks, etc.). The Stop the Bleeding
“From the Publisher,” this new Ongoing Series hopes to Coalition has emerged as an advocacy group whose mis-
expand the user’s education in this subspecialty of SOF sion is to educate about the importance of hemorrhage
medicine, hosting literature and discussion relevant to control, raise awareness about the need for hemorrhage
prolonged field care. This issue includes two PFC Work- control resources, and advocate for the universal place-
ing Group posi tion papers to frame future discussions — ment of this equipment in high-risk and high-occupancy
“Prolonged Field Care Capabilities” by Ball and Keenan locations.
(pages 76–77), and “Operational Context for Prolonged
Field Care” by Mohr and Keenan (pages 78–80) — as
well as the first two Prolonged Field Care articles, “Tour-
niquet Conver sion: A Recommended Approach in the
Prolonged Field Care Setting,” by Drew and colleagues
(pages 81–85), and “Care of the Burn Casualty in the
Prolonged Field Care Envi ronment,” by Studer and col-
leagues (pages 86–93).

n n n
As active shooter and intentional mass casualty events
continue to rise at an alarming rate, so must our society’s
ability to respond. Law enforcement has modified its re-
sponse tactics; emergency medical services are expanding
operations into the warm zone; and major public educa- s proclaimed by President Barack Obama, Septem-
tion campaigns are under way about what to do during Aber is National Preparedness Month.
an event. These actions are essential to mitigate further
casualties from occurring and getting care to the injured. Take action now – make a plan with your community,
However, despite these efforts, a gap exists from the time your family, and for your pets. Plan how to stay safe and
of injury until organized response efforts can access the communicate during the disasters that can affect your
injured. In the aftermath of these events, victim survival community. We ask everyone to participate in America’s
often depends upon how quickly lifesaving resources can PrepareAthon! and the national day of action, National
be delivered to the patient. Individuals present will often PrepareAthon! Day, which culminates National Pre-
rally as “immediate responders” and attempt to help the paredness Month on September 30. Please visit http://
injured using whatever resources are available. www.ready.gov/september for more information.

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