Delayed casualty

DELAYED A delayed casualty is one who needs further medical care but can wait for that care without risk of compromising successful recovery. That person may require extensive surgical procedures and long-term hospitalization, but is presently stable and requires no immediate care. A casualty with a leg wound or fracture is an example of a conventional casualty who would be delayed. A casualty recovering from severe nerve agent poisoning will be delayed. Most casualties with vesicant burns will be delayed. 

Ability to Kill Moderate (delayed casualty agent)... 

A casualty in the delayed category is one who has a serious injury, but who can wait for care. The delay will not change the ultimate outcome. Most vesicant casualties with skin lesions will be in this category. Generally, delayed casualties will not be sent to the emergency treatment area and will not be decontaminated at the lower-echelon facility. They will be evacuated in a dirty vehicle. 

Delayed casualties with severe injuries who are in need of major or prolonged surgery or other care and who will require hospitalization, but delay of this care will not adversely affect the outcome of the injury. Fixation of a stable fracture is an example. 

On March 26, 1980, a power shovel was relocating a tank containing 1500 I (750 kg 1650 lb) liquid propane. During maneuvering, the tank fell from the shovel a portion of its contents was releas as a result. After a delay of 30 seconds, the ensuing vapor cloud was ignited. The explosion caused substantial blast and fire damage. There were no casualties. 

Phosgene was used tactically as a delayed or immediate action casualty gas. It was first employed by the Germans in WWI (Dec, 1915) in cylinders under the name D-Stoff. The French iater (1916) employed phosgene as an artillery shell filler (Collingite). During the remainder of the war it was the Allies principal war gas, used also in trench mortars, bombs, and projector drums (Ref 2)... 

Moderately delayed-action casualty agent. Not authorized for military use. 

Emergency procedures Delayed-action casualty agent. 

Delayed- or immediate-action casualty agent, depending upon dosage rate. 

Decontaminate the casualty ensuring that all nerve agents have been removed. If nerve agents have gotten into the eyes, irrigate the eyes with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 15 minutes. Irrigate open wounds with water or 0.9% saline solution for at least 10 minutes. However, do not delay treatment if thorough decontamination cannot be... 

---