Andrew W Kirkpatrick, Jessica L McKee, John M Conly, Kristin Flemons, Wade Hawkins
Heliyon. 2023 Jan 18;9(1):e12985.
Introduction: Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) can access patients inaccessible to traditional rescue. Just-in-time remote telementoring (RTM) of naïve users to self-care could potentially address challenges in salvaging exsanguination in remote environments.
Methods: An exsanguination self-application task was established in a wilderness location. Three volunteers-initiated distress calls to prompt RPAS precision delivered STOP-THE-BLEED kits, after which a remote mentor directed the volunteers how to self-care.
Results: Limited connectivity prevented video, however each volunteer delivered images and initiated conversation with the mentor pre-RPAS arrival. Thereafter, all subjects were able to unpack and deploy hemorrhage control adjuncts under verbal direction, and to simulate self-application. All subjects were able to successfully apply wound-clamps, tourniquets, and pack wounds although one had insufficient pressure.
Discussion: RPASs can deliver supplies long before human rescuers, and communication connectivity might allow remote mentoring in device application. Further development of technology and self-care paradigms for exsanguination are encouraged.