Medical Care in Specialist Rescue

This module develops the ability to adapt medical care to the hazards, constraints and resources of specialist rescue. The same patient presentation may require a different sequence of actions depending on access, time, equipment and the evacuation method.

Training content

• Assessing patient access and opportunities for intervention.
• Assessment with restricted access or unusual patient positioning.
• Treatment and evacuation priorities.
• Interventions required before release or movement.
• Equipment selection for the environment and expected duration.
• Effects of the environment and prolonged evacuation.
• Prevention of heat loss.
• Medical preparation for evacuation.
• Reassessment throughout the operation.
• Cooperation between medical and technical rescue personnel.
• Preparation for transport and handover.

The module focuses on medical care and does not replace technical training in the relevant rescue discipline.

Who we train

Advanced first aid providers and paramedics working in, or preparing for, specialist rescue. Also relevant to team members responsible for preparing patients for difficult or prolonged evacuation.

How we train

Short introductions, case discussions, workshops, problem-solving and realistic scenarios with debriefs. The focus is on decisions, teamwork and adapting care as constraints change. Medical training can be integrated into exercises led by instructors from other iRES disciplines.

Settings and connections

Core settings include rope, search and rescue and technical rescue. Depending on the programme, exercises may include water rescue, fire and rescue operations and ATV/UTV use. CBRNE incidents are outside the standard MED-30 scope and require a separate programme.