The Police Officers Safety Association's (POSA) newest training program, Tactical First Aid (Tac1Aid) - also called Ditch Medicine - is now available free by download.
This program's main element is the manual developed by tactical paramedic Bill Lewitt when he was teaching the Tactical First Aid program at the SigArms Academy, which Bill has updated to include the latest research and findings from the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan.
It includes a description of Tac1Aid and its history. It presents the myths that surround the practice of ditch medicine and it details the best combat-effective ways to handle trauma and blood loss. The subject of shock is covered as well as why we need to avoid it at all costs. The practice of Tac1Aid, revolving around bandages, tourniquets and hemostatic agents is covered in detail. Accompanying the manual is Bill's Tactical Treatment Flow Chart, something that every officer will want to photocopy and keep in their uniform pocket.
Two articles accompany this program: a short article on self-rescue kits and a SWAT Magazine profile of one of Bill's classes.
Also, the previously released Responding to Bombs, Bomb Threats and Suicide Bombers POSA program is now available in video format. This 2-hour presentation is also free to download.
Simply go to www.posai.org to download your copy.