We performed a study to assess the effectiveness of a fluid infusion strategy currently used in the military pre-hospital environment using the patient's own body weight as an infusion device. Thirteen healthy volunteers were cannulated and 0.9% sodium chloride infused over a period of ten minutes. The volumes infused were measured and flow rates derived. A mean flow rate of 40 ml per minute was seen through an 18 g cannula. This strategy generates reasonable flow rates, but whether this is sufficient to the clinical aim of fluid resuscitation in pre-hospital settings is unknown.
The effectiveness of a military pre-hospital fluid infusion strategy. Publishing Authors By Initials