The MARCH Algorithm in Tactical Combat Casualty Care by Andrew Fisher this article was first published in September 2017The MARCH algorithm is synonymous with Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). It is a simple acronym for remembering the necessary steps in priority for saving lives in combat. M-massive hemorrhage, A-airway, R-respiratory, C-circulation, and … [Read more...]
Tranexamic Acid (TXA): Does it Really Make a Difference?
Tranexamic Acid (TXA): Does it Really Make a Difference? by Andrew FisherBleeding continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in combat. Even with all the medical advances and the ubiquitous use of extremity tourniquets has not been able to save everyone. There are wounds, where a tourniquet cannot be applied and we cannot apply pressure against a bone to … [Read more...]
Why We Need To Stop Opioid Hysteria
Why We Need To Stop Opioid Hysteria Written by Special Guest and Lead author: Jeffrey J. Bilyk, A-EMCA, ACP. The HypeIf you've spent any amount of time on Facebook or Twitter chances are there have been articles or photos shared on your newsfeed/timeline. Maybe you've noticed stories with fire departments and law enforcement agencies in full hazmat gear to remove a bit … [Read more...]
3 Must-Have Emergency Lifesavers for Your Car
Trauma is the leading cause of death for ages 44 and younger. It is also the leading cause of productive life years lost for ages 75 and under. That is greater than heart disease and cancer combined. As a result of poor understanding of bystander trauma care, people die unnecessarily. You do not want to find yourself at the Disaster Gap unprepared and have people die while … [Read more...]
SpecOps Doc: It’s Better To Get Shot With An AK-47 Than An M4/AR-15
SpecOps Doc Explains Why It's Better To Get Shot With An AK-47 Than An M4/AR-15 by Dan PronkEditor's Note: Dr. Dan Pronk is an Australian medical doctor who spent much of his time in the Australian Army assigned to Special Operations units. This article first appeared in the TacMed blog, and later in several other blogs, and is re-posted here with the permission of the … [Read more...]
Quit Ovary-Acting! A Havok Guide to Hysterectomies
January at The Havok Journal was Health and Fitness month. Some of Havok's writers shared tips and ideas on how not to catch the flu, myostatin inhibitors, and crossfit. And then, there are those like me, those whose idea of fitness is more along the lines of “fitness whole pizza in my mouth” than it is about crossfit.Some of you are more into shoveling food into your … [Read more...]
Your “Tactical Tampon” is Useless for Life-Threatening Hemorrhage
Your "Tactical Tampon" is Useless for Life-Threatening Hemorrhage by Andrew FisherThe myth that tampons can quell life-threatening hemorrhage just won’t die. It seems that every other week a post on social media touts the amazing effects of tampons as a life-saving intervention (LSI). After all, there are anecdotes from Iraq, Afghanistan, and the veteran … [Read more...]
PTSD Treatments Aren’t Effective, So Government Green Lights… Ecstasy???
This article first appeared in The Havok Journal on 2 December 2016.PTSD Treatments Aren't Effective, So Government Green Lights... Ecstasy??? by Scott FaithIn yet another misguided attempt to address the legitimate plague of PTSD in America, the FDA recently approved a large scale trial to treat the condition with a powerful mind-affecting drug. You've probably heard … [Read more...]
Medicinal Marijuana and PTSD: Not All It’s Puffed Up To Be?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a troublesome process that has crippled up to 13% of the veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.1 In a recent article Donald Bumanglag discussed his personal journey with PTSD and how he found relief with medicinal cannabis. My fellow Ranger and fellow Havok Journal writer Donovan Ronin recently wrote a … [Read more...]
The Realities of Mass Migration and Central America Diseases
Andrew D. Fisher, MPAS, APA-C Andrew D. Fisher is stationed at Fort Benning, GA and at the time this article was written, was a Physician Assistant in the U.S. Army. He has no financial interest in any products mentioned, nor has any conflict of interested to disclose. These opinions are his own and are not endorsed by the U.S. Army or the Department of Defense. This article … [Read more...]