MEDICAL MAINTENANCE

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MEDICAL MAINTENANCE

• SFC LEMIEUX

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3 Reasons soldiers are vulnerable to disease

• Harshness of the environment such as deserts,
  jungles and the artic
• Reduced natural defense due to exposure and
  fatigue---climatic changes, sleep deprivation and
  irregular meals
• Breakdowns in basic sanitation, such as the lack
  of clean water and proper waste disposal

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Medical Threat to field forces

• COLD INJURIES
• Chilblain
• Immersion Foot
• Trench Foot
• Frostbite
• General Hypothermia

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Prevent cold weather injuries
• Drink water and warm fluids
• Wear uniform properly
• Wear clothing as command directed
• Keep clothing clean and dry (Avoid fuel spills)
• Avoid overheating
• Wear loose layers of clothing
• Keep moving when possible (Exercise big muscles,
  toes, feet, fingers and hands)

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Avoid loss of body heat
• Keep moving
• Avoid standing directly on cold, wet ground
• Avoid Smoking (Smoking decreases blood flow to
  the skin)
• Eat all meals to maintain energy
• Protect feet and hands by wearing gloves,
  changing socks frequently and avoiding skin
  contact with snow, fuel, or metal

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Use the buddy system to spot frostbite on exposed
  skin

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• ARTHROPODS(biting insects)
• Mosquitoesmalaria, yellow fever, dengue fever
  and encephalitis
• Sand fliessand fly fever
• Diseases transmitted by insects assoc. with
  RODENTS!!!!!
• Fleasplague and endemic typhus
• Mites---scrub typhus

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Protecting against biting insects
• Use insect repellent according to directions
• Wear uniform properly
• Follow medical advice, take antimalarial pills
• Protect yourself at night
• Use netting around bed or doorway
• Protect yourself from Rodents
• Keep a clean living environment, take out your
  garbage.

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Keep food in plastic containers and dispose of
  foods not being eaten
• Use mice traps
• Food/Trash Rodent Snakes

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• DIARRHEA, is contracted from contaminated food
  and water
• Water-borne diseases
• Typhoid fever
• Cholera
• Travelers diarrhea
• Hepatitis A
• Food-borne diseases
• Travelers diarrhea

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Food-borne diseases cont.
• Cholera
• Salmonellosis
• Hepatitis

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Protect yourself from diarrhea
• Follow water sanitation guidelines
• Follow food sanitation guidelines
• Use approve food sources
• WASH HANDS AFTER USING LATRINES and before
  touching food or food contact surfaces
• PROPERLY DISPOSE OF WASTE to prevent spread of
  germs by flies

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• NOISE HAZARDS
• Examples of noise hazards
• Weapons
• Aircraft
• Most army vehicles and generators
• Harmful effects of hazardous noise exposure
• Temporary loss of hearinglast minutes to hours
• Permanent loss of hearing
• Blast over pressure effects

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Prevent noise hazard injuries
• Use protective hearing devices
• Use correct vehicle headgear, such as helicopter
  crew helmets and armored vehicle crew helmets
• Keep hearing protection devices clean to avoid
  ear infections
• Avoid noise and/or limit the time in noise
  hazardous areas

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• OTHER MEDICAL THREATS TO FIELD FORCES
• Skin disease---common in extremely dry to humid
  climates
• Use sunscreen, protect skin from elements, and
  keep skin clean
• Altitude sickness---locations above 9,000 feet
• Acclimatize to new elevations, increase aerobic
  exercise prior to exposure, follow medical advice

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Medical Threat to field forces(cont.)

• Tobacco use
• Refrain from tobacco use
• Poor medical threat intelligence
• Harmful animals---poisonous reptiles, arthropods,
  and mollusks
• Avoid habitats of harmful animals, do not attempt
  to capture or make pets

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QUESTIONS ?????