Topic: Ballistics and Field Amputation
Location: Dr. Wipfler's house
Residents from the UICOMP Emergency Medicine EMS Track participated in a ballistics and field amputation training conducted by Dr. Wipfler. An understanding of ballistics is important in the Emergency Department as we see these injuries frequently. The ability to perform a field amputation is important for any physician engaging in EMS Medical Direction or participating with a disaster Emergency Response Team. Residents used a deer carcass donated for the training to learn how different caliber rifles and handguns cause injuries. They then learned how to conduct a field amputation including preparing a scene, applying tourniquets, using sedation and performing the amputation. The residents compared the use of reciprocating saw, Gigli saw and .22 rifle for their efficiency and quickness in an amputation. The Gigli saw was determined to be both the quickest and cleanest tool to use for this procedure.
Ashley Huff, PGY-3
Location: Dr. Wipfler's house
Residents from the UICOMP Emergency Medicine EMS Track participated in a ballistics and field amputation training conducted by Dr. Wipfler. An understanding of ballistics is important in the Emergency Department as we see these injuries frequently. The ability to perform a field amputation is important for any physician engaging in EMS Medical Direction or participating with a disaster Emergency Response Team. Residents used a deer carcass donated for the training to learn how different caliber rifles and handguns cause injuries. They then learned how to conduct a field amputation including preparing a scene, applying tourniquets, using sedation and performing the amputation. The residents compared the use of reciprocating saw, Gigli saw and .22 rifle for their efficiency and quickness in an amputation. The Gigli saw was determined to be both the quickest and cleanest tool to use for this procedure.
- EMCrit: Prehospital Amputation
- Bruner D, Gustafson CG, Visintainer C. Ballistic injuries in the emergency department. Emergency Medicine Practice. 2011; Dec.
Ashley Huff, PGY-3
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