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Emergency Vehicles In most peacetime emergency situations, some form of ambulance will be available to transport the victim to a medical treatment facility. Navy ambulances vary in size and shape from the old "gray ghost" to modern van and modular units. Although there are many differences in design and storage capacity, most Navy ambulances are equipped to meet the same basic emergency requirements. They contain equipment and supplies for emergency airway care, artificial ventilation, suction, oxygenation, hemorrhage control, fracture immobilization, shock control, blood pressure monitoring, and poisoning. They will also contain litters, spineboards, and other supplies and equipment as mandated in BUMEDINST 6700.42. (Table 3-1, at the beginning of this chapter, lists the currently required equipment for EMT-Basic level ambulances, and table 3-2 lists the contents of an emergency bag that a Hospital Corpsman might find in that ambulance.) Deployed units at sea and in the field and certain commands near air stations will also have access to helicopter MEDEVAC support. Helicopters are ideal for use in isolated areas but are of limited practical use at night, in adverse weather, under certain tactical conditions, or in developed areas where building and power lines interfere. In addition to taking these factors into consideration, the Corpsman must decide if the victim's condition is serious enough to justify a call for a helicopter. Some injuries require very smooth transportation or are affected by pressure changes that occur in flight. The final decision will be made by the unit commander, who is responsible for requesting the helicopter support. |
 
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