TCCC in the Canadian Forces: Lessons Learned from the Afghan War

## LCol Erin Savage, MD, Maj Colleen Forestier, MD, LCol Nicholas Withers, MD, Col Homer Tien, OMM CD, MD, MSc, Capt Dylan Pannell, MD, PhD

Canadian Journal of Surgery 2011;59:S118-S123

#### Description with Key Points

In the 6 years that the Canadian Forces (CF) have been involved in sustained combat operations in Kandahar, Afghanistan, more than 1000 CF members have been injured and more than 150 have been killed. As a result, the CF gained substantial experience delivering TCCC to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. The purpose of this paper is to review the principles of TCCC and some of the lessons learned about battlefield trauma care during this conflict.

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For the first time in decades, the CF has been involved in a war in which its members have participated in sustained combat operations and have suffered increasingly severe injuries. Despite this, the CF experienced the highest casualty survival rate in history. Though this success is multifactorial, the determination and resolve of CF leadership to develop and deliver comprehensive, multileveled TCCC packages to soldiers and medics is a significant reason for that and has unquestionably saved the lives of Canadian, Coalition and Afghan Security Forces.

TCCC in the Canadian Forces: Lessons Learned from the Afghan War
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# Take Home Message:

TCCC was essential in aiding the Canadian Forces in achieving the highest casualty survival rate in history during the Afghan conflict.
They train both medics and soldiers in TCCC
Canadian Forces credit this multifaceted approach for TCCC guideline implementation with helping them achieve their highest casualty survival rate ever.