Treating and evacuating casualties will be a demanding task in any conflict against a well-matched adversary.
In contrast to campaigns such as Op Herrick it is unlikely we will enjoy air supremacy, making any extraction a complex and dangerous affair.
Withdrawing the injured by ambulance might be the only option. And while field hospitals will be closer to the front line, they’ll need to be concealed from prying eyes – as the Ukraine war is starkly demonstrating.
This means soldiers might have to take on more medical responsibility, potentially coping with injuries for longer and in the heat of battle. Consequently, they are being given updated protocols and equipment.
The tactical combat casualty care (UK) system – which brings British soldiers in line with other Nato forces – is being rolled out as part of the individual training requirement.
It introduces a new emphasis on skills and drills to deal with a range of wounds including severe bleeding and eye injuries.
Instead of being issued with the existing first aid kit, containing dressings and tourniquets for deployments, they will now be given a pack at the outset of their career that includes blood-stemming haemostatic dressings plus antibiotics to help treat infection and painkillers.
“The packs will initially be issued to units that need them most, such as those deploying,” said Maj Chris Hambly (AGC (ETS)) – who is leading the implementation of the casualty drills.
“These changes are going to affect all personnel and are a reaction to the nature of conventional fighting,” he added.
An updated syllabus will be introduced for front-line medical practitioners, nurses and other clinicians. They will also see changes in their protocols and training in due course.
New resources, including videos and an aide memoire will be made available as well.
See ABN 036/2025 for more information. Training resources are available on the ITR portal of the Defence Learning Environment
