a. An efficient and flexible evacuation plan is essential for adequate casualty treatment and to retain mobility of forward medical resources. For assessment of a potential mass casualty situation, the full range of evacuation assets, limitations, and obstacles should be considered by the medical planner. After an attack, the medical staff may need to estimate the number of casualties that require evacuation resources at given postexposure times.
b. Evacuation requirements will vary with the type of chemical agent used. Nerve agent casualties may not be evacuated because the time course of severe effects is relatively short. Depending upon exposure conditions, HD casualties may or may not require evacuation to a facility where they can receive care for several days, or possibly 6 to 9 months. Estimates provided in the guide can be used as a starting point from which to plan for evacuation resources.
D-23. In-Unit Care
The casualty estimates in the guide are presented with no allowance for in-unit care such as self-aid or buddy aid. Soldiers trained in first aid procedures may be the first to see chemical injuries. The guide can provide an estimate of the numbers of injured personnel who will require first aid. However, there may be need for rapid augmentation, support, or other intervention. Delays in obtaining medical care may occur because of physical damage or contamination of the surrounding area. The tables described in paragraphs 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 of the guide give the time courses of effects that may apply to estimation of in-unit and delayed medical requirements.
D-24. Patient Bed Requirements
Requirements for patient beds and hospitalization time may be greater after chemical exposures than after a conventional attack. Such increases are particularly important for agents, such as HD, that produce injuries followed by a long recovery period. Bed requirements can be estimated using the tables described in paragraphs 3.3.2 and 3.3.3 of the guide. Casualties Occurring by Time Period tables (see paragraph 3.3.3) in the guide are useful after an attack since they show gains and losses of casualties over time. Personnel by Injury Category tables (as described in paragraph 3.3.4) in the guide may be more useful in long-range planning. They show maximum numbers of personnel by injury severity category. The tables in the guide only provide estimates for the first 30 days after attack. Depending upon the theater evacuation policy specified for the operation, hospital days may be either in theater or in the national area.
D-25. Medical Logistics
The estimates provided in the guide are intended to support projections of medical materiel and logistical requirements. Increased demands may occur for certain types of medical and general supplies. These may include specific equipment, kits, dressings, antibiotics, and other critical medical materiel. Demands may also increase for items unique to the chemical battlefield (such as nerve agent antidote autoinjectors), as well as items adapted to chemical environments (including IV systems and special self-contained intensive care units). Tables showing maximum numbers of personnel by injury severity category (see paragraph 3.3.4 in the guide) can provide useful input for logistical planning.
D-26. Medical Force Planning
a. The assignment of medical support is normally based upon the total military population and the expected conventional casualty rate. The guide may be used to assess requirements for additional medical units. The use of chemical weapons in tactical situations could be one indication of an increased tempo of warfare and need for additional personnel.