Prolonged Field Care Podcast SOMSA '25 - COLD Blood Protocol for Medical Support
Jun 18, 2025
Chase Zanel, a former 18 Delta and now an emergency medicine resident, teams up with Ken Radloff, an emergency physician and fellow 18 Delta, to discuss critical cold blood protocols for military training. They explore how whole blood transfusions can prevent deaths from hemorrhagic shock and the logistical challenges of blood storage during operations. The duo highlights a pilot blood donation program aimed at enhancing medic preparedness while navigating complex regulatory hurdles. Their insights promise to transform military medical support and training.
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Hemorrhage Drives Resuscitation Choices
- Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable battlefield death and drives resuscitation priorities.
- Whole blood has emerged as the superior resuscitation fluid for hemorrhagic shock in military and civilian care.
Use Clear Clinical Triggers For Prehospital Blood
- Use clinical signs like altered mental status without brain injury or weak/absent radial pulse to indicate pre-hospital whole blood transfusion.
- Also consider mechanism and vitals (SBP <100 or HR >100) when deciding to transfuse.
Logistics, Not Knowledge, Limits Blood Use
- Knowledge of when to give blood exists, but logistics—having blood available during CONUS training—is the main barrier.
- Few units carry whole blood to training because guidance and logistics are lacking.