Page 17 - PJ MED OPS Handbook 8th Ed

NOTE: Body recovery should be attempted unless the attempt exposes the team to undue
danger. If the body cannot be safely recovered, the location should be noted as accurately as
possible (GPS coordinates preferred) for later recovery efforts. If the body has a set of ID tags
that can be safely recovered, leave one with the body, bring the other out.

2. Non-Combat: Decisions to not initiate resuscitation should be discussed with medical control
if possible. If contact with medical control is not possible, the following guidelines should be
followed:
• Do not initiate resuscitation if victim is obviously dead, characterized by:
○ Dependent lividity
○ Rigor mortis

WARNING In hypothermia victims, severe hypothermia may resemble rigor mortis. Check core
body temperature.

○ Open head injury with brain matter exposed and no pulse present
○ Injury to the trunk with chest contents exposed and no pulse present
○ “Frozen” hypothermia victim, e.g., ice formation in the airway, incompressible chest
○ Total body burns or body carbonization and no pulse present
○ Suffered massive blunt trauma, e.g., fall of over 100 feet, and has no pulse
• Decisions to not initiate resuscitation will be completely documented to include:
○ Time/Date of decision
○ Reason for decision as noted above
○ Name, title/rank, and unit/organization of medical control (if able to contact)
○ Location of victim (GPS coordinates if possible)
○ Document “Vital Signs Absent (VSA)” and other findings consistent with death and when
possible, have a second PJ or Medic confirm findings and cosign the note.
• The decision to not initiate resuscitation IS NOT a legal declaration of death, unless a qual-
ified physician declares the patient dead.

NOTES: Body recovery should only be attempted if it can be accomplished with a minimum
of risk to the rescue team. If there is any suspicion of death as a result of foul play, or other
forensic circumstances (suicide, homicide, neglect, accident, etc.) the body and the area
around it should be left undisturbed until law enforcement authorities have had an opportu-
nity to examine the scene.
In the event of a military aircraft crash, body recovery may be the responsibility of local law
enforcement or military authority, depending on the circumstances and location of the mis-
hap. In most circumstances it is best to leave the bodies in position until investigating authori-
ties arrive and survey the site. If the bodies must be moved prior to arrival of the investigative
authority, every attempt should be made to record the exact location where the body was
found, and the exact position it was in (photographs from multiple angles are helpful).

Chapter 2. Medical Command and Control (MC2) n 15