The January-March, 2013 issue of the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP's) "Volunteer Magazine" is now online

The January-March, 2013 issue of the Civil Air Patrol's (CAP's) Volunteer Magazine is now online.

EMT RipShears—The World's Fastest Trauma Shears

EMT RipShears are the world's fastest trauma shears. Just snip and rip! Expose patients' wounds faster so you can "head to toe, treat as you go" without switching tools.

Four tools in one:

• Trauma shear
• Safety knife
• Reflex hammer
• O2 Wrench

According to the manufacturer, RipShears can slice through turnout gear, combat boots, leather jackets, denim, wet suits, CBR gear, bandages, sport wraps, plastic packaging, seat belts and much more.

The Ripshears Firefly model glows in the dark, and the Ripper unit is sold separately for those wishing to upgrade a pair of standard, 7.25-inch trauma shears.

Learn more about RipSears here.

Source: Soldier Systems Daily

The Combat Man-Trackers of the Vietnam War

Great article entitled "Vietnam's Combat Trackers," by Ken Olsen, in the American Legion Magazine...

Pete Peterson was recruited for the combat trackers while recovering at a U.S. military hospital in Japan during the fall of 1968. It wasn’t a hard sell for the two trackers who shared his hospital ward. Peterson had lost several friends in a firefight with the North Vietnamese while he was sidelined with an ankle injury. “The tracker’s job was to hunt down the enemy,” says Peterson, who had been serving with an infantry company. “I liked the idea of that. I wanted some payback.”

When he returned to Vietnam, Peterson joined one of the elite Army teams charged with finding an enemy known for melting into the jungle, gathering intelligence, and searching for missing U.S. soldiers and pilots. Although the secrecy surrounding the combat trackers has meant their accomplishments were all but lost to history, they were so successful that the North Vietnamese army put a bounty on the five-man teams and their Labrador retrievers. That bounty was a point of pride with the trackers, part of what made the work both arduous and gratifying. Read more here...

Source: Institute of Visual Tracking & Tactical Acuity

Amazing video footage of heli rescue of crane operator trapped by raging construction fire in Kingston, Ontario

Amazing video footage of heli rescue of crane operator trapped by raging construction fire in Kingston, Ontario.

Controlling bleeding is often more important than establishing an airway—but what is the best method to do so?

Controlling bleeding is often more important than establishing an airway—but what is the best method to do so? An alternative to the tourniquet: the iTClamp50.

Hypothermia: How to recognize and prevent this deadly condition

How to recognize and prevent hypothermia.
Source: The friendly folks over at Dan's Depot.

 

New video/audio of last moments of the Granite Mountain Hotshots at the Yarnell HIll Fire

New video/audio of last moments of the Granite Mountain Hotshots at the Yarnell Hill Fire.

December 2013 issue of the National Search Dog Alliance's "SAR Dog News" is online

The December 2013 issue of the National Search Dog Alliance's "SAR Dog News" is online.

K-9s in the US Special Forces

Great photo-story on special forces K-9s. Source: JoCoSAR.

The humble, yet versatile, Figure Eight Device.

"The humble yet versatile Figure Eight. I've seen this gadget used in many different configurations over the years. Without explanation or endorsement, here are a few." [Emphasis added] —Richard Delaney, Administrator, Rope Rescue Page.