Wilderness Emergency Treatment Investigation Strategy: A Practical Field Study Method for Unforeseen Trauma Incidents
The World Extreme Medicine (WEM) has refined the traditional ABCDE model for primary trauma care in remote environments, creating a field-adapted version that is tailored specifically for the challenges of wilderness, austere, and operational settings.
This adapted approach, a field-refined combination of existing models like ABCDE,
In the WEM adapted ABCDE model, the initial assessment starts with assessing the scene for safety and shelter (S). This is a crucial step in survival in remote medicine, emphasizing the importance of scene safety and shelter.
Following this, the ABCDE approach is implemented. Breathing should be assessed first, looking for signs of breathing difficulties and treating life threats like open chest wounds or tension pneumothorax. In case of breathing issues, chest seals or needle decompression may be used, as per training and kit availability.
The next step is circulation assessment. This involves monitoring radial pulse, skin color, and capillary refill, and checking for signs of bleeding in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis. Glucose consideration is also a part of this stage in the adapted ABCDE approach.
Neurological assessment comes next, using the AVPU scale as your primary tool for rapid assessment. During this stage, pupils and motor/sensory function should be checked. Don't forget to consider glucose levels.
Exposure assessment is the final step, where the patient is fully exposed to look for hidden injuries. It's important to remember that in remote care, frequent reassessments are necessary due to long waits for evacuation.
In case of catastrophic haemorrhage (Big C), exsanguinating haemorrhage must be controlled before addressing airway. The airway should be maintained with consideration for cervical spine injury.
The WEM faculty has reshaped this version for austere, unpredictable, and hostile settings, turning it into an invaluable tool for those practicing extreme medicine or wilderness trauma care. This adaptable approach is a testament to the importance of practicality and flexibility in remote medicine, ensuring that life-saving care can be delivered effectively even in the most challenging of environments.
References: [1] The World Extreme Medicine (WEM) adapted ABCDE model for primary trauma care in remote environments. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wem-expeditionmedicine.com/
[2] WEM adapted ABCDE model for primary trauma care in remote environments. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wem-expeditionmedicine.com/
[3] The WEM adapted ABCDE model: A field-refined version of the traditional ABCDE mnemonic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wem-expeditionmedicine.com/
[4] The WEM adapted ABCDE model: A practical guide for wilderness and austere trauma care. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.wem-expeditionmedicine.com/
- Participants enrolled in WEM courses learn about the adapted ABCDE model, crucial for remote and wilderness trauma care.
- In an expedition, understanding the WEM adapted ABCDE model can be a matter of life and death in disaster situations.
- This field-refined ABCDE model is valuable for rescuers working in remote deserts or wilderness regions.
- The WEM model emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to address chronic diseases and mental health issues, even in space exploration missions.
- Fitness and exercise are essential components of health and wellness, which are often overlooked in the WEM adapted ABCDE model but play a significant role in survival.
- In addition to medical-conditions, neurological disorders, like space-and-astronomy-related conditions, can be addressed using this adapted approach.
- The WEM training equips medical professionals with the skills needed to tackle complicated health-related issues in challenging environments like wilderness expeditions.
- One can find numerous resources online detailing the WEM adapted ABCDE model, making it accessible for remote and wilderness medical practitioners worldwide.
- The WEM model aims to provide healthcare in austere settings, paving the way for extensive research in space and aeronautical medicine.
- In the near future, specialists trained in the WEM adapted ABCDE model may be sent on missions to manage various medical situations, such as chronic diseases or neurological disorders, in remote outposts like the International Space Station.
