Casualty Evacuation, Field Surgery… High-Tech Equipment Demonstrates Its Power in Battlefield Rescue
High-Tech Equipment Demonstrates Its Power in Battlefield Rescue
— A Report on Combat-Realistic Medical Support (卫勤保障) Training Organized by a Brigade of the 77th Group Army
■ Xu Cong, Han Gang
"A patrol has come under 'enemy' fire — move forward immediately to treat casualties!" In the early summer highlands, a combat-realistic medical support training exercise conducted by a brigade of the 77th Group Army got underway at an outdoor training ground.
Infrared unmanned aerial vehicles ascended to search for "casualties," robotic dogs equipped with detection modules reconnoitered the battlefield environment, and personnel wearing powered exoskeletons advanced rapidly under load… The author observed on site that technological elements had been integrated into every phase of the training.
"In recent years, an increasing number of high-tech systems have been fielded with the troops, giving medical support the wings of technology," a brigade leader explained. They have focused on the demands of the future battlefield, integrating high-tech equipment into training subjects including battlefield search and rescue, casualty evacuation, and field surgery, improving personnel proficiency in man-equipment integration through combat-realistic training, and using technology to reinforce the "lifeline" (生命防线) of officers and soldiers.
As he spoke, forward reception team leader Yang Xin used the infrared UAV's heat-source marking function to precisely fix the location of a "casualty," and, based on real-time imagery fed back by the robotic dog, planned the route of advance for the rescue team. The rescue team then used terrain for cover, broke through "enemy" obstruction, and quickly located the "casualty."
"The 'casualty' has a fractured left lower leg and hemorrhagic shock!" After rescue team leader Wang Kai assessed the "casualty's" basic condition, medic Shi Jiamao rapidly applied pressure hemostasis, while another team member retrieved portable oxygen supply equipment to provide the "casualty" with timely oxygen. "This oxygen supply equipment is simple to operate, lightweight, and compact — it can effectively save time and improve rescue efficiency," Wang Kai said.
Before one wave had subsided, another arose. As the "casualty" was being transferred by the rescue team to the field aid station (野战救护所), special situations arrived in quick succession: "'enemy' electromagnetic interference" and "medical equipment power failure." Field aid station commander Yang Quanyong remained calm and composed, decisively issuing the order to "activate anti-jamming equipment and the backup generator." Shortly thereafter, the anti-jamming electrocardiographic monitor lit up green, a portable surgical light illuminated the operating table, and all equipment in the operating room resumed normal operation. The surgery was completed successfully and the "casualty's" vital signs stabilized. "The use of these high-tech systems not only improved the casualty treatment rate but also strengthened the confidence of officers and soldiers in responding to sudden situations," Yang Quanyong said.
"High-altitude meteorological conditions and complex terrain place higher demands on combat-realistic medical support capabilities," the brigade leader explained. In this training exercise, they set multiple special situations on an impromptu basis according to the unit's assigned missions and the actual conditions of the training area, compelling officers and soldiers to master the equipment in their hands and strengthen their support skills. A number of new operational methods and training methods (新战法训法) were subjected to combat-realistic testing.
"Front-line medical supplies are critically low!" As night fell, another order came down from higher command. Logistics support team personnel moved on the order, operating transport UAVs that lifted off on an emergency basis, precisely avoided "enemy" electromagnetic interference zones, and rapidly delivered medical supplies to the designated location…