Safe removal of combat body armour lightweight following battlefield wounding -- a timely reminder.

Abstract

Medical Support Troop Bravo (MST Bravo) provides third line medical support for the United Kingdom Battle Group currently deployed on operation Grapple 2 in Bosnia Herzegovina. Standing operating procedures for the initial assessment and resuscitation of all casualties are based on the protocols taught on Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) courses. These protocols dictate a period of initial assessment and resuscitation with the casualty immobilised in the supine position. Recent experience in casualty management at MST Bravo has identified inadvertent spinal movement taking place during removal of Combat Body Armour Lightweight (CBA) which might have detrimental effects for casualties with occult spinal injury. This has led to an appraisal of CBA removal and the identification of a drill for rapid, safe and reliable means of undressing without jeopardy to the integrity of the spine. The method is described.