Tactical Medicine Essentials

by American College of Emergency Physicians

Designed for EMS and medical professionals at all levels of training, Tactical Medicine Essentials, Second Edition provides the foundation needed to become a world-class tactical medical provider (TMP). 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. The Second Edition thoroughly prepares medical professionals to safely accompany a SWAT unit into the tactical environment.
Current, State-of-the-Art Medical Content for the Tactical Environment
The rapidly changing tactical environment requires specialized rapid assessment techniques. The tactical patient assessment process is presented in a single, comprehensive chapter, ensuring that students understand how to rapidly apply this specialized process to the patient in the tactical environment. Each traumatic injury chapter further reinforces the tactical patient assessment process by highlighting the unique aspects of each traumatic injury. A new chapter about active assailant mass casualty incidents has been added. Law enforcement education topics for TMPs are compiled in a new appendix.
Dynamic Features
These features allow EMS and medical professionals to take the extra step toward becoming outstanding TMPs:
-At the Scene Advice from experienced TMPs on how to excel during a mission
-Safety Information on how to remain safe in the tactical environment, even under the threat of violence
-Medical Gear Tips on the best equipment to pack and utilize in the tactical environment
-Detailed Step-by-Step Skill Reviews A thorough discussion of how to perform lifesaving skills in the high-intensity 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.