As a soldier medic, you will be providing medical care in a variety of situations.

The method you will use to control hemorrhage in a casualty will likely depend on the tactical situation.

Once hemorrhage has been controlled, the casualty may need fluid resuscitation to combat hypovolemic (low volume of fluid in the circulatory system) shock or to help prevent hypovolemic shock.

This lesson will concentrate on the battlefield methods. It is imperative that all bleeding has been stopped before any attempt to start an intravenous infusion is performed.

NOTE: In this subcourse, the abbreviation “IV” can mean either “intravenous” or “intravenous infusion.”