Tactical medicine is the practice of pre-hospital emergency medical care during military operations or other extreme conditions, aimed primarily at eliminating potential causes of death caused by an injury.
Introducing every soldier of the Western armies to tactical medicine has resulted in the lowest number of deaths from wounds in the US Army in history.
Tactical medicine is built upon the fact that the place and circumstances in which care is provided during combat operations are radically different from the usual conditions found in hospitals, ambulances, and even on the street.
Delivering emergency medical care directly on the battlefield is a factor that significantly improves the chances of survival and restoration of functions in a wounded soldier. That is why there is a concept of the “golden hour” – medical care should be given within the first hour after injury.
Timely delivery of first aid and pre-hospital care saves the lives of the wounded and the ill, and timely evacuation from the battlefield prevents recurring injury or death.
In addition, to mastery of weapons, physical and tactical training, every soldier in a modern army must have perfect skills in providing medical care in combat. A soldier who does not have the knowledge of tactical medicine endangers both himself and his fellow soldiers because he would not be able to provide assistance if necessary.
After all, tactical medicine is designed to teach the basic skills of delivering self-help and mutual aid in combat.