MME Scenario Collection


Potential ambush preventing first aid

Ann is a military nurse taking part in a military convoy in Afghanistan as a member of the medical support team. The convoy passes a crossroads where a traffic accident between Afghan civilian vehicles just took place.

One Afghan national is unconscious, bleeding profusely. Anne judges that the situation of this victim is life-threatening. He needs the bleeding stopped, probably also cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

The Rules of Engagement (RoE) however do not permit a military convoy to stop because of the risk for ambushes or suicide attacks.

Ann is torn between her personal, subjective wish to give possibly life-saving first aid to this victim or obeying the RoE directive to prevent suicide attacks by insurgents which can entail multiple victims in the convoy.

Source: Report from course participant

Questions for the discussion of this scenario

What should Ann do?
(How) Can the RoE be justified and can they override the duty to assistance?



Page ID: 87
Last updated: 02 Mar, 2018
Revision: 1
Military Medical Ethics Scenarios -> Dual loyalty and/or mixed obligations -> Conflicting roles -> Potential ambush preventing first aid
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