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A fascinating article on StrategyPage.com highlights a new type of bandage that is saving lives in Iraq.
One of the unnoticed reasons for the unprecedented low death rate for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is a new novel bandage design. The Emergency Bandage, developed by a small Israeli firm, enables non-medical personnel to quickly and effectively bandage just about any type of wound, and do it, if necessary, one handed. The innovation is an elasticized bandage with a non-adhesive bandage pad sewn into it. The bandage also has a built-in pressure bar. This allows the soldier to twist the bandage around the wound once, and then change the direction of the bandage, wrapping it around another body part, thus creating pressure on the wound. The key factor is the pressure bar, which makes applying the bandage in an effective way much easier. There is a closure bar at the end of the bandage, which clips into place without slipping or loosening the tight application of the bandage pad. The pressure bar makes it possible to quickly apply the bandage to wounds on the head, or in the groin. Normally, getting wounds there quickly bandaged is difficult, particularly for non-medical personnel. One of the developers of the bandage had combat experience in the Israeli army, and wanted to create a bandage that would perform better than current bandages. The Emergency Bandage was first sold to the Israeli army and civilian users. In 2002, some U.S. Army medical personnel saw it used in emergency rooms and were impressed enough to get it adopted by the army. Last year, the United States Army bought some 200,000 of the bandages, and is buying 800,000 this year. The bandage has been responsible for saving dozens of lives in Iraq, as well as making some wounds less damaging.
I find this very interesting.
Posted by Ted at January 12, 2005 8:14 PM