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Hey guys,
May seem an odd question, came from reading a book ("None Braver" by Michael Hirsh) about American PJ's not being allowed to carry actual blood plasma for treating casualties, only saline. The decision was reversed in Afghanistan after an Aussie SAS guy bled out after his Land Rover hit a landmine and the PJ's only had saline in their kit to keep him alive.
So I was just wondering if RMMA's or MA CDO's were alowed to carry blood or only saline? Or indeed do any Brit medics carry blood?
Perhaps Doc or one of the old and bold can answer this one.
Cheers guys,
Josh.

In reply

They carry hartmans and haemocell, if they are clever they let the gravs in a company carry their own,

toodle pip

Nope never carried blood in the field or in a sickbay, it sounds dodgy that any medic would as before you pump blood into your oppo he would need to be cross matched etc and the blood tested, blood also needs to be kept chilled when stored so you'd need to have a fridge compartment in your bergen.
Hartmans and Haemocell as bongo replied is the normal blood replacement kit, and if someones oozing away like you read in the book then multiply IVs would be given aswell as trying to arrest the blood flow with FFDs and/or clamps.
Carrying blood is a defo NO-NO in my book.
One of the more elaborate steming of blood techniques I came across was pouring sugar into the wound as it congels and stops the flow slightly, but in my opinion just ram as many needles and lines into him as possible and get on the net for a casevac to a hospital ASAP.

and on a different note, Im all over the place at the moment so apologies for my erratic coming and going, bare with me as I settle and get my admin sorted and I shall return. Hope all are well and ciao for now.
Doc

Thanks bongo and doc for the replies. A follow on question for you, what exactly is Hartman's and Haemocell?
Sorry if it's a bone question, I'm a newbie when it comes to these medical topics, however I do find them extremely interesting.
Thanks guys,
Josh.

You as a medic are not allowed to carry blood in the field it would be used in a field hospital location. Blood has a very short life span a matter of days new rules of "Cinical Goverance" would not allow this.