Casualties Surviving at Higher Rate

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Casualties Surviving at Higher Rate
September 24, 2008
Marine Corps News|by Pfc. Kevin M. Beebe Jr.

WASHINGTON — The ratio of casualties dying from combat wounds in the Long War, less than one in ten, is lower than that of recent 20th-century wars, including Operation Desert Storm, according to a recent comparison study.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has shown 9.7 percent of wounded American service members died in Operation Iraqi Freedom, a contrasting figure to 22 percent in Vietnam and 17 percent in Desert Storm.

Rear Adm. William M. Roberts, medical officer of the Marine Corps, said vast improvements in combat casualty care are to thank for present-day survivability; moreover, Marines and sailors not in the medical field are doing a welcomed share of the lifesaving.

Prevention, training and education, as well as actual battlefield treatment, are saving lives.

In Iraq, Medical treatment has moved closer to the fight and on a grander scale than in the past, staying available within one-hour rings around combat operations. Known as the "golden hour," this time of opportunity is the first 60 minutes after a severe trauma injury. If the wounded can receive swift medical attention in this time, they have the greatest chance of survival.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-news/casualties-surviving-at-higher-rate.html