LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall preparatory, en route, and turnover procedures for patients being transported to medical treatment facilities.

Once emergency medical care has been completed on-scene, the patient must be transferred to the medical treatment facility. A process known as packaging provides the means of properly positioning, covering, and securing the patient to avoid any unnecessary aggravation to the patient's condition. (Covering helps maintain the patient's body temperature, prevents exposure to the elements, and provides privacy.) Do not "package" a badly traumatized patient; it is more important to transport the critical or unstable patient to the medical treatment facility quickly. The most important aspect of each rescue or transfer is to complete it as safely and efficiently as possible.

Care of Patient en Route
The emergency care a Corpsman can offer patients en route is limited only by the availability of supplies, the level of external noise and vibrations, and the degree and ingenuity the Corpsman possesses.

Figure 3-43.-Two-person arm carry (alternate).

Care at the Medical Treatment Facility

Do not turn the victim over to anyone without giving a complete account of the situation, especially if a tourniquet was used or medications administered. If possible, while en route, write down the circumstances of the accident, the treatment given, and keep a log of vital signs. After turning the patient over to the medical treatment facility, ensure that depleted ambulance supplies are replaced so that the vehicle is in every way ready to handle another emergency.

SUMMARY
This chapter covered first aid equipment and supplies, and rescue and transportation of the injured patient. You should now be able to recognize the various types of dressings and bandages, as well as how and when to apply them. You should be familiar with protective equipment, rescue operations, the stages of extrication, and the precautionary steps that must be taken in special rescue situations. Additionally, you should be acquainted with the different patient-moving devices and lifting techniques. Further, you should be able to identify essential basic life support equipment and supplies on Navy ambulances, and you should be able to recognize different forms of emergency transportation. Finally, you should now be able to recall preparatory, en route, and turnover procedures for patients being transported to medical treatment facilities.