Long-distance air evacuation of blast-injured sailors from the U.S.S. Cole

Abstract

Background: The U.S. military uses a Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATT) to air evacuate critically ill patients to facilities that can provide definitive medical care. CCATT is comprised of highly trained personnel and each team uses specialized equipment to allow for in-flight intensive medical care of patients. CCATT has the capability of providing care over long duration and distance. This report describes our recent experience of long-distance fixed-wing medical air evacuation of multiple critically ill sailors with blast injuries from the U.S.S. Cole.

Conclusion: CCATTs can safely transport multiple critical patients with blast injuries over long distance and duration by fixed-wing aircraft. Blast injuries can have multi-system effects and patients with subclinical pulmonary injury may be asymptomatic when hypoxemic in a hypobaric environment.