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5th March 2008
Shellfish dressings help save soldiers’ lives in Afghanistan
A special bandage, partly made from crushed shellfish, is
helping to save the lives of badly injured troops and civilians
in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The bandages are put directly onto
combat wounds and become sticky on contact with blood - helping
clots develop and rapidly stopping even severe bleeding – a
vital medical capability as rapid blood loss is one of the major
causes of combat fatalities. The special bandage has been
procured and delivered to the front line by Medical and General
Supplies Integrated Project Team (IPT), one of the eight IPTs
and Groups who are participating in DVD this year.
The easy-to-use bandages contain an active ingredient, chitosan,
which is derived from crushed prawn shells. The bandages are
carried by many troops as well as medical staff and are simply
removed by surgeons when their job is done. They are one of a
number of advanced pieces of medical equipment now being used to
save lives at the British Field Hospital in Camp Bastion,
Helmand Province and are now even included in the RAF’s
emergency landing first aid kit for passenger aircraft
Members of Medical and General Supplies IPT responsible for the
delivery of the new special bandages will be at DVD on 25th and
26th June at Millbrook. Visitors wishing to attend DVD must
pre-register by visiting
www.theevent.co.uk. |
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