Special forces medical handbook

by **bingobadgo** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 1:34 am

I recently acquired a copy of field manual st-91b (i think that is the right number) which purports to be the US Army Special Forces medical handbook. I am sure some of you must have copies of this, and i know a lot of you have some excellent medical knowledge, so what i would like to know is whether it is any good. It appears to be very comprehensive and in depth but i cant tell if it is decent information or not. Do you have any views on it?

by **GanaEMT** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:44 am

yeah, it's good. Covers a lot of serious medical info at the nursing/paramedic level. Which is why it's probably too much for anyone without a medical background to use efficiently (eg, it makes full use of medical terminology instead of "translated" laymen speak). The army field manuals are meant to be read/studied along side of formal & informal instruction.

If you're seeking a more generic first aid guide, I would take it down a level or two. Maybe pick up a survival guide of some sort.

On the other hand, if you have a medical background, it'll do very well as guide to keep in your FAK.

by **Gunny** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:57 am

Yep there are much worse reference documents out there.

Doc Simon lent me one of these and I've found it to be pretty practical knowledge.

by **crypto** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:10 pm

GanaEMT wrote:If you're seeking a more generic first aid guide, I would take it down a level or two.

First Aid For Soldiers is a great basic medical reference.
FM21-11

by **throwback** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:08 pm

The special forces handbook is really a better reference for guys who have gone through the course. It's all the stuff taught that you forget about after a few years of not using the skills. Is yours a current eddition, or one of the mid 80's editions?

by **Tac Medic** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 5:21 pm

If you could only have two medical references, ONLY TWO:

Merck Manual

Special Operations Forces medical handbook (2001 edition)

by **VaultDweller** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 1:47 pm

GanaEMT wrote:yeah, it's good. Covers a lot of serious medical info at the nursing/paramedic level. Which is why it's probably too much for anyone without a medical background to use efficiently (eg, it makes full use of medical terminology instead of "translated" laymen speak). The army field manuals are meant to be read/studied along side of formal & informal instruction.

I'd agree with this...I downloaded a st31-81b (the 1982 version, mind you) and it often assumes previous medical knowledge as well as having more advanced medical supplies on hand. For example, flipping it open at random, I find this course of treatment: "Relieve pain (morphine 1/4 gr. q.2-3hr). Relax ureteral spasms with Pro-Banthine, 1/100-1/150 gr. atropine..." It's great if you know what the hell that means and have what the hell you need.

There's a joint services manual out there for download that seems pretty good as well (FM 21-11 from Dec 2002 largely, though includes info from several branch manuals) for more basic layman guide to first-aid. Of course, the problem with this kind of guide is that the course of treatment often ends with "seek medical assistance," which potentially isn't as useful in a PAW.

by **Jamie** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 2:00 pm

Lotsa Military Manuals

nfa

by **VaultDweller** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 4:55 pm

Yeah, nice site nfa...i think that's actually where i dug up the joint forces first aid manual.

They've got it in that huge list and this is the direct link (to a zip file).

by **bingobadgo** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:54 am

Tac Medic wrote:If you could only have two medical references, ONLY TWO:

Merck Manual

Special Operations Forces medical handbook (2001 edition)

Any link to where to get the 2001 edition? My '82 one is a bit tatty.

by **Citizen Simon** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:15 am

I dunno where the 2001 is available on-line, but it is the shit.

by **Tac Medic** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 4:12 pm

Amazon should have 'em...............get the version with the CD. In other words, they sell you the manual with a CD version with videos included. It's about 70 bucks.

Teton New Media publishes it. Phone is 1-888-770-3165

by **tommytrauma** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:16 pm

If you're looking for a decent intermediate and advanced proceedures 'how to' book, Hugh Coffee's 'Ditch Medicine' is a solid text, and a bit more understandable for folk without a medical background then the SF handbook.

http://www.amazon.com/Ditch-Medicine-Advanced-Procedures-Emergencies/dp/0873647173/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-8921109-3627040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189124119&sr=8-1

by **Tac Medic** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 2:47 pm

"Ditch Medicine" is a good book. The SF Medical Handbook is a world recognized reference manual for special forces units and village medical teams all over the globe. The SF book contains vet medicine techniques and camp hygiene and of course the list of authors for the SF Med is full of world renouned physicians that specialize in survival and austere medicine..............

by **tommytrauma** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:02 pm

Tac Medic wrote:"Ditch Medicine" is a good book. The SF Medical Handbook is a world recognized reference manual for special forces units and village medical teams all over the globe. The SF book contains vet medicine techniques and camp hygiene and of course the list of authors for the SF Med is full of world renouned physicians that specialize in survival and austere medicine..............

Indeed, but it's primary intended audience isn't the complete medical layman. Baby steps...

Special forces medical handbook

Special forces medical handbook

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