digrar
11-25-2004, 05:00 AM
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1110/topstories/story09.htm
Rapid acquisition
New shell dressings for troops in Iraq
By Pte John Wellfare
AUSTRALIAN ground forces serving in Iraq have been issued a new US-made bandage designed to quickly seal wounds and prevent significant blood loss.
While the current shell dressing relies on compression to control bleeding, the Hemcon bandage uses a natural material that becomes extremely adhesive when in contact with blood or moisture. It’s designed to seal the injured area without blocking blood vessels and control arterial bleeding within three-to-four minutes, improving the survival chances of a casualty.
The bandage has been in use by US forces in Iraq, and attracted the attention of CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove and CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, who initiated efforts to acquire the bandage for Australians. The Army was given the lead to ensure that ADF personnel in Iraq received the unique bandage in the shortest possible timeframe.
AHQ Equipment Management Officer Lt-Col Nick Stanton said the new bandages, manufactured exclusively by a US corporation, had been difficult to acquire commercially.
“The company’s whole production run is taken up with US Defence orders – we couldn’t even get our orders in for at least a year,” he said.
Lt-Gen Leahy directed staff at the joint task force headquarters in Iraq to acquire the bandages in-theatre, a bid that was readily supported by the US forces there.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has not yet approved the bandage, but after receiving advice from Defence Health Services Branch, it was decided that increasing the chance of survival in the event of a casualty was important enough to justify immediate issue.
“In light of the current threat, the Army conducted a risk assessment and decided to accept the risk of early introduction,” Lt-Col Stanton said.
“The CA’s position was very clear – someone could bleed to death while we are debating this.”
For more information visit the Hemcon website at www.hemcon.com (http://www.hemcon.com)
Rapid acquisition
New shell dressings for troops in Iraq
By Pte John Wellfare
AUSTRALIAN ground forces serving in Iraq have been issued a new US-made bandage designed to quickly seal wounds and prevent significant blood loss.
While the current shell dressing relies on compression to control bleeding, the Hemcon bandage uses a natural material that becomes extremely adhesive when in contact with blood or moisture. It’s designed to seal the injured area without blocking blood vessels and control arterial bleeding within three-to-four minutes, improving the survival chances of a casualty.
The bandage has been in use by US forces in Iraq, and attracted the attention of CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove and CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, who initiated efforts to acquire the bandage for Australians. The Army was given the lead to ensure that ADF personnel in Iraq received the unique bandage in the shortest possible timeframe.
AHQ Equipment Management Officer Lt-Col Nick Stanton said the new bandages, manufactured exclusively by a US corporation, had been difficult to acquire commercially.
“The company’s whole production run is taken up with US Defence orders – we couldn’t even get our orders in for at least a year,” he said.
Lt-Gen Leahy directed staff at the joint task force headquarters in Iraq to acquire the bandages in-theatre, a bid that was readily supported by the US forces there.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has not yet approved the bandage, but after receiving advice from Defence Health Services Branch, it was decided that increasing the chance of survival in the event of a casualty was important enough to justify immediate issue.
“In light of the current threat, the Army conducted a risk assessment and decided to accept the risk of early introduction,” Lt-Col Stanton said.
“The CA’s position was very clear – someone could bleed to death while we are debating this.”
For more information visit the Hemcon website at www.hemcon.com (http://www.hemcon.com)