Military Medical Ethics – Scenario Collection

Risky fast help

Page ID: 29
Last updated: 12 Sep, 2018
Page ID: 29
Last updated: 12 Sep, 2018
Revision: 3
Comments: 0

The forward operating base (FOB) you are serving in as a military healthcare practitioner is attacked one night by multiple rockets and mortars. As the alarms wail in the background, you and many others are on the floor of the recreation area in the protective position taught as part of your training.

After the noise and debris of the last explosion has died away, you hear the sounds of a soldier nearby in obvious, excruciating pain. You look up cautiously in the aftermath to see one of the platoon sergeants you are friendly with writhing on the ground, around 15 metres away. He is missing both legs and has obvious fragmentation and burn injuries up his left side. He is trying to apply a combat tourniquet to the shattered remains of one of his legs, but is not having much luck due to shaking with shock and what must be immense pain.

You are shouting instructions to him in attempt to calm him down. You can now see the tell-tale disruptions in the ground between yourself and the casualty which indicates potential unexploded ordnance (UXO). Military standard operating procedure in this situation is to remain on the floor, in the protective position, for a "soak period" of three minutes after the last explosion is heard before moving to collect body armour and helmets, or until hearing the all-clear. However, with potential UXO in the area, this complicates matters – a specialist team is needed to clear the area and no movement should be made until it's done.

Source: Report

Questions for the discussion of this scenario

Do you stay on the ground, waiting for a specialist explosives disposal team armed with specialist equipment to clear a safe path to the casualty, which delay might result in the patient's death?
Or, do you ignore procedure by trying to reach him yourself immediately, which may save his life, but also puts you and others at massive risk of becoming casualties as well? You are the only healthcare provider in the FOB.

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Page ID: 29
Last updated: 12 Sep, 2018
Revision: 3
Comments: 0
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