--- title: Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine description: Like other tactical gear, your portable suction device must be designed with certain specifications in mind. Here are some considerations. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-509726534-min(1).png --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine](https://blog.sscor.com/portable-suction-device-considerations-for-tactical-medicine) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Feb 23, 2018 4:00:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/portable-suction-device-considerations-for-tactical-medicine#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/portable-suction-device-considerations-for-tactical-medicine#) 0 ![Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-509726534-min(1).png?width=700&name=rsz_gettyimages-509726534-min(1).png "Portable Suction Device Considerations for Tactical Medicine") On October 2, 2017, we woke up to the grim news of another mass shooting. The night before, a man in Las Vegas had opened fire on a crowd of concert fans, discharging high-powered weapons from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, killing 58 people and injuring over 800. Police stormed the hotel but found the gunman had already committed suicide, thus ending the siege after leaving a morbid path in his wake. Increasingly, EMS providers find themselves responding to protracted scenes of violence. They must be trained to work alongside law enforcement in high-risk scenarios, where a conventional approach to emergency response may not be feasible. Thus, tactical medicine has evolved. ## The Goals of Tactical Medicine Tactical Emergency Medical Support (TEMS)1 builds upon the principles of numerous disciplines, primarily from military medicine, disaster response, and urban search and rescue. Its goal is to devise a system of medical care that supports law enforcement missions, to reduce casualties while minimizing threats to responders. TEMS aims at optimizing the health, safety, and welfare of law enforcement officers and the communities they protect. It is broken down into two primary functional components: - Operational – special operations law enforcement missions, maritime medicine, hazardous materials incidents, explosive ordnance disposal, and executive protection. - Supportive – medical intelligence and mission planning, medical consultation, occupational health, and veterinary support. By providing specialized medical support, TEMS not only allows special operations teams to function with increased safety, but it also improves the probability of mission success in a number of ways: reducing morbidity and mortality, improving team morale, minimizing incident liability, and providing on-site medical care that reduces the number of prisoner transfers to medical facilities. ---   [![Everything you need to know to help your institution make the right portable suction purchase >](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/39cebfb1-10c2-4e66-931f-59bfe9afabe9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/39cebfb1-10c2-4e66-931f-59bfe9afabe9)   --- ## Zones of Care During tactical missions, law enforcement will divide the target area into zones of operation, with inner and outer perimeters providing static boundaries for their operations. TEMS divides these areas of operation into three Zones of Care: - Hot Zone – care is provided under fire - Warm Zone – tactical field care is provided - Cold Zone – tactical evacuation takes place TEMS practice guidelines define the rescue activities that occur within each zone. Certain treatments are limited, based on the level of risk within each zone, and include these guidelines: - Care Under Fire – Hot Zone - Tactical Field Care – Warm Zone (X-A-B-C-D-E) - Tactical Field Evacuation – Cold Zone ## Suction Considerations During Tactical Medical Events The high probability of traumatic injuries resulting from tactical medical scenarios ensures the need for suction. Gunshot wounds, blast injuries, or toxic exposures will produce bleeding and respiratory threats, all of which may [require suction](https://blog.sscor.com/paramedic-emergency-suction-procedures-for-paramedics). But like other tactical gear, your portable suction unit must be designed with certain specifications in mind: - Portability – the unit must be [small enough](https://www.sscor.com/quickdraw_od_portable_suction.html) to fit within a trauma bag and lightweight, for ease of carry. - Durability – the suction unit must be able to withstand the [rigors](https://www.sscor.com/EMS_suction_products.html) of tactical environments, which may include extreme temperatures and weather patterns. - Reliability – steadfast [battery power](https://blog.sscor.com/the-critical-role-of-battery-powered-aspirators-during-mcis) must be provided, along with replacements, for extended incidents. - Functionality – the unit must supply the necessary negative pressure needed for multi-system trauma, while still meeting the physical requirements of tactical gear. Tactical medical scenarios can be long-term, large-scale incidents that require special training, extensive preplanning, and a tailored approach to emergency care. Be sure your portable suction units are up to the task. 1 2011 Prehospital Trauma Life Support, American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma, MOSBY JEMS, Elsevier.   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/9612b368-68bd-40fd-8df2-b49e908313ab.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/9612b368-68bd-40fd-8df2-b49e908313ab) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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