Equipment of a combat medic


This article discusses the standard equipment of a combat medic.
Combat Medics may put themselves in greater harm than many other roles on the battlefield. In the type of asymmetric warfare which typifies modern conflicts, the enemy may or may not have respect for the laws of war and may or may not in fact actively target medics for the significant value they have in keeping the unit combat-effective. Thus, in most modern forces, medics are armed and do not wear large identifying red cross insignia. A rifle or carbine is standard, often augmented with a sidearm because the medic may have to pass his rifle off to his patient or fellow war fighter in order to treat the wounded.
Noting that when not on patrol or deployment combat medics may be posted to a clinic style medical centre where they treat soldiers in an outpatient primary healthcare style.

Arms and insignia

While many historical medics were unarmed and marked, most modern medics are unmarked, and armed with smallarms. Chaplains can also carry weapons to defend themselves. In Chapter II of the Geneva Convention of 1929 Article 8 states: A sanitary formation or establishment shall not be deprived of the protection of Article 6 by the fact:
  1. that the personnel of the formation or establishment is armed and uses their arms in self-defense or defense of wounded and sick personnel
  2. that in the absence of armed hospital attendants the formation is guarded by an armed detachment or by sentinels
  3. that hand firearms or ammunition taken from the wounded and sick and not yet turned over to the proper authorities are found in the formation or establishment;
  4. that there is found in the formation or establishment personnel or materiel of the veterinary service which does not integrally belong to it
The Combat Medic is commonly referred to as "Doc." Within a combat unit, they function as a member of an infantry platoon up until the point that one of their comrades is wounded. Therefore, the Medic carries basically what a Rifleman or any other soldier carries. Basic equipment is usually:
A combat medic will typically carry a backpack styled bag known as a "Unit One Pack". Aid bags are available from many different manufacturers, in many different styles. Depending on the unit and their standard operating procedures, the medic may have to follow a strict packing list, or may have the liberty of choosing their kit depending on the mission at hand. A typical aid bag will include:
Fluid Resuscitation
Hemorrhage Control
Airway Management
Assorted Equipment
Personal Protection
Triage Systems
Diagnostic Equipment
Casualty Management
Splinting and Immobilization
Hypothermia Prevention
Battlefield Medicine
A combat medic is generally expected to care for the needs of the soldiers in his group, including their everyday ailments. A medic will usually carry a small amount of what are referred to as "snivel" or "sick call meds." These are common over-the-counter medications that do not require a prescription.