title: A review of Canadian Forces Search and Rescue Technician medical training and operations, 1990-93.
abstract: This study examined whether the 8 weeks of initial medical training and 9 d re-certification every 3 yr given to Canadian Forces (CF) Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) was satisfactory. The course content was compared with 272 held medical case documents for the period 1990-93, inclusive. This practical medical care data showed a predominance of trauma rescue cases: 35% were life threatening conditions and 65% were non-life threatening conditions. They ranged from trauma, chest pain, abdominal pain, hypothermia, diabetic insulin overdose to stroke and gynecological bleeding. Of the life-threatening cases, 32% needed advanced treatment skills and 15% of the non-life threatening cases needed advanced treatment skills. It was concluded that the content of the initial and re-certification medical training was satisfactory as long as immediate transport to a specialist medical center was possible.
authors.affiliation: Aeromedical Operations and Clinical Services, Air Command Headquarters, Westwin, MB, Canada.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Popplow
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002568:Certification; D003479:Curriculum; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D012189:Retrospective Studies