editorial
Improvised Medical Protocol Development for Multi-Day EVA Operations: The Botanical First Aid Framework: Emerging Concepts
Dr. R. Novak
· Lunar Medical Research Cooperative
Lunar Emergency Medicine · Vol. 5, No. 4 · May 29, 2024
Abstract
Follow-up investigation building on prior work. Extended EVA operations in remote lunar surface areas may require managing medical emergencies without immediate medical bay access. This paper describes the Botanical First Aid Framework — a protocol system for improvised medical management using available resources, developed from analysis of 42 r...
Extended analysis and updated findings. The challenge of managing medical emergencies during multi-day EVA operations far from the main habitat is one of the most underaddressed problems in lunar occupational medicine. The focus of most medical planning on habitat-based care leaves a significant gap.
We analyzed 42 medical incidents occurring during EVA operations more than 4 hours from the nearest medical bay, drawing on incident reports from five lunar habitats over a 3-year period. Incident types included musculoskeletal trauma (38%), equipment malfunction-related injury (24%), cardiovascular events (15%), and respiratory incidents (12%).
The term 'Botanical First Aid' emerged from the improvised nature of field medicine in resource-limited environments — recalling the historical practice of botanists on solo expeditions wh...
We analyzed 42 medical incidents occurring during EVA operations more than 4 hours from the nearest medical bay, drawing on incident reports from five lunar habitats over a 3-year period. Incident types included musculoskeletal trauma (38%), equipment malfunction-related injury (24%), cardiovascular events (15%), and respiratory incidents (12%).
The term 'Botanical First Aid' emerged from the improvised nature of field medicine in resource-limited environments — recalling the historical practice of botanists on solo expeditions wh...
Keywords
EVA, field medicine, improvised, first aid, remote, protocol