hello, I am new here, I am currently a graduate design student at an Industrial Design school. I chose to design a new utility/ballistic armor for combat medics in 2018 as my project this term. I am hoping to be able to speak to any knowledgeable person on this topic. Such as decision making points for medics on the field, the new training technique of Care Under Fire, etc.

I personally do not know any military related people, so I am just looking everywhere for help.

Thank you for all your help,

-David

r34v

Welcome to the site. I applaud what you have set out to do, and hope through your research and application that something viable comes from it.

In order for you to design ballistic armor for combat medics, you first need to understand what it is they actually do and how they go about doing it under current situations. What looks perfect on paper and in computer simulations, doesn't always stay that way in actual use. Below is a link that should get you moving in the right direction in begining to understand what it is that combat medics actually are expected to do out on the battlefield.

Soldier Medic

Helmet Sensors to Measure Blast Impact

The above link relates to research in action in order to develop better protection for those out where dying is a part of everyday routines.

thanks thegunny, the bit about the sensors mounted in helmets was very helpful!

Not exactly something I'd want to be wearing but they do need that kind of information.

I am also trying to find out the type of personality that medics generally have, anyone have any clue where to find this information? Personal experiences welcomed!

I've done some research and found some conditions that medics face which effects their action, feel free to correct me, subtract or add to the list.

There are some "decision points" which can lead to different (actions):

"hostility of environment" (a medic is train to not rush out but fire back till the area is clear)
"urgency of situation"
"severity of wounded" (this might change the priority of what to do first, treat or extract?)
"condition of wounded" *don't know if this is the same as above*
"availability of necessary equipment" (some wounds cannot be treated with field kits)
"type of treatment to administer"
"priority of wounded base on injury"

With the Marines, our medics are all Sailors. Can't speak to Army Medic types as we never really encountered them except by watching reruns of MASH!

r34v,
Welcome to the site. Medics that I hnew were a good bunch. The training that they had to go thru was on the upswing in the early 70's and I personnally know one fron Vietnam.
His name is Doug Neralich, and he is the adjuant of our VFW post. The link to his book is www.vfwpost5702.org. Look under Books of interest, down toward the bottom of the page.
It's called "Dear Donna, It's Only 45 Hours from Bien Hoa". I read it and knowing the man, it very insiteful. He also has spoken top medics on duty today and found most of the actions and stress the same,, only he wish hew had the equipment they have when he was in.

thanks! looked up the book, and ordered it =)

and yes, the equipment now days can do everything twice as fast. Plus the current day armors really reduce the chance of serious injuries...

yeah, too bad the only time Soldiers, Sailors an Marines are actually 'bulletproof' is on the way back from the e-club.