Between life and death: How Ukrainian combat medics save lives under Russian fire
Illustrative photo: combat medics save the lives of Ukrainian defenders (Getty Images)
Combat medics on the front line are on constant alert. Their task is to evacuate and rescue the wounded during shelling, according to the medics of the 44th separate artillery brigade named after Hetman Danylo Apostol.
Medical instructor's work
A medical instructor at the medical post of an artillery division with the call sign Maha notes that the daily life of medics at the front is usually tense - they are always waiting for a call to come, and they will need to go for evacuation.
"Most often these are acubarotraumas, mainly contusions and many shrapnel wounds," she says.
According to her, equipment should always be readily available: backpacks, first-aid kits, and a designated workplace in the car.
"Each backpack is individually tailored to the person, and each workplace in the car is the same, for whom it is convenient," she adds.
A medical instructor with the call sign Di said that two crews work on the evacuation. One takes somatic patients to medical facilities, the second assists wounded servicemen.
Driver's weekdays
In turn, the driver of the evacuation vehicle with the call sign Shumakher explains that he helps the combat medic and the medical instructor, loading and delivering the wounded to the stabilization point.
"A quick climb, if it's the middle of the night. A quick start, broken roads. And the danger, first of all. To get to the point so that nothing flies, does not fly in. And the main thing is to find that point. When I pick up the wounded, I bring the wounded and not the deceased. This is the greatest motivation," he adds.
Under fire
The paramedic of the medical point with the call sign Tarik notes that when the command to leave is given, the medics have only a couple of seconds to gather. During this time, it is necessary to put on protective equipment and get into the car to get to the wounded as quickly as possible.
"Probably 75% of my evacuations were under fire, because you don't know when it will arrive," the defender emphasizes.
According to him, once he had to pick up 6 wounded at a time.
"We picked everyone up on time, took everyone to the stabilization point, and everyone is alive and well. It motivates me that you are saving lives," adds Tarik.
Medical center management
The acting chief of the artillery division medical center, with the call sign Dok, is sure that the main thing in a medic's work is speed and quality.
"The same tourniquet can be replaced with anything," he emphasizes.
The chief of the 44th brigade medical center with the call sign Socrates also added that the first place is to save the lives and health of soldiers.
Medic's Day
Since 2023, Ukraine has celebrated Medic's Day on July 27. That year, the corresponding decree was signed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
On this day, gratitude is traditionally expressed, and congratulations are paid to all those who work in the field of medicine.
