Researchers examine hibernation-like treatment

Researchers examine hibernation-like treatment
By Alan Gomez - USA Today
Posted : Monday Dec 21, 2009 7:11:25 EST

During some of the worst fighting in Iraq in 2005, Dan Turner’s convoy of Marines could evacuate wounded troops from the middle of Fallujah in 15 to 20 minutes.

But if there were an ambush or heavy fire, it could take more than a half-hour to get a wounded service member to an evacuation helicopter, and still more time to reach an operating room.

Since every minute is important when a service member is bleeding, the Pentagon is investing nearly $10 million to develop a way to help them survive longer despite massive blood loss by inducing a hibernation-like state.

Turner, who says his team came under fire hundreds of times during his seven months in Iraq, says it’s impossible to overestimate the value of giving troops another hour or more to reach a hospital.

“That’d be a miracle right there,” says Turner, now a firefighter-paramedic in Dallas.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/gns_military_blood_loss_hibernation_122109/