Tactical Medicine Essentials: .

by American College of Emergency Physicians, E. John Wipfler III

Medical support for special weapons and tactics (SWAT) units is different from civilian EMS in many ways. A tactical medical provider (TMP) is charged with providing life-saving care to downed SWAT officers and taking measures to defend against criminal suspects. Mastery of these skills requires extensive, specialized tactical emergency medical services (TEMS) training and experience in the tactical environment. Designed for EMS and medical professionals of all levels of training, Tactical Medicine Essentials provides the foundation needed to create world-class TMPs. Written by an experienced team of authors from diverse backgrounds, this text covers the essential curriculum of tactical medicine, including tactical patient assessment, expedient extrication and evacuation, and self-defense skills. It also goes into depth about the specialized equipment and techniques used by medical professionals with TEMS training and certification. Tactical Medicine Essentials thoroughly prepares medical professionals to safely accompany a SWAT unit into the tactical environment.

388 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2010

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent overview of tactical emergency medicine but nothing too ground breaking for the average EMS physician.

[Justyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great textbook for everyone with little knowledge of emergency medical services and police work: include all aspects, is well organized and serves as a decent overview.

[Peter Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, one's opinion of this book will depend on why one chose to read a large, complex textbook aimed to instruct SWAT team medics.

Although I bought it a couple years ago, I read it because I am a long time (yet lapsed) EMT waiting to get into a course next semester. I wasn't sure what to expect and how much I'd actually get out of it. Would this provide useful supplementation to the skills and professional knowledge expected of an experienced EMT or would it instead be some sort of "soldier-of-fortune" esque form of cheap thrill seeking voyeurism aimed at "tacticool" wannabes?

Fortunately, I was surprised at how much I learned that was actually useful or potentially useful to an ordinary EMT. There's a lot in here. Tactical body armor, not just for an EMT who might wish to wear it, but also for treating patients who are wearing it, how to remove ticks better than I knew, balissstics (external and internal), and a thousand and one other odd little things.

All in all this is a good book for any EMT. --if you have an interest in supplementary materials put this on the shelf next to your books on subjects like hazardous materials, geriatrics, swift water rescue, and more. You'll be glad you did.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially thought this book was terrible. I still think the first 1/3 is useless unless you are someone who knows nothing about police work, weapons or tactics. The book got better the more I got into it. Although I expected a thorough review of the TCCC military model of casualty care, it could scarcely be found. The book offers a good overview on intubation, surgical airways and starting IVs. It peripherally covers many other common, but less critical tasks.

I would only recommend this one if you have little medical knowledge and want to focus on learning airway and venous access skills.