Tactical Medicine: An Introductory To Law Enforcement Emergency Care [Paperback]

Ian McDevitt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2001

An experienced street paramedic gives a detailed crash course in the administration of emergency care under the most life-threatening conditions. Tactical Medicine is an excellent introduction to providing critical medical care when lives hang in the balance - both yours and your patients'. Learn the three stages of tactical medicine; the vital priorities of administering first aid under fire; the realities of setting up an efficient triage system; the must-have equipment and supplies for a tactical medical kit; the best methods for transporting your gear while on the scene; the differences between law enforcement and military field care; and much more. Whether you are a medic assigned to a SWAT team or military unit, an EMT thinking of entering police work or just someone who is interested in this dynamic field of medicine, you will benefit from this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ian McDevitt is a former U.S. Army Airborne infantry officer (reserves) who currently works for a hospital-based paramedic service in northeastern Connecticut. He is a graduate of several advanced tactical and wilderness medical schools and has been a street paramedic for 12 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (July 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581602553
• ISBN-13: 978-1581602555
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not a good investment, November 13, 2003

By 

Fidel, MD (Saving Lives, everywhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tactical Medicine: An Introductory To Law Enforcement Emergency Care (Paperback)

As a paramedic and Spec Ops medic, this book was a total waste. Anyone who doesn't have a far better understanding of tactical medicine (military or law enforcemennt) shouldn't be even thinking about operating in those venues.

The book is written unevenly, has poor quality photos, virtually no suggestions on techniques and very uneven coverage of equipment. There must be a better tactical medical book out there, for a start "Ditch Medicine" by Coffee is at least helpful, if somewhat dated.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Tactical miss for EMS, January 10, 2002

By 

David E. Hogan (Oklahoma City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tactical Medicine: An Introductory To Law Enforcement Emergency Care (Paperback)

This pamphlet achieves the aim of the author. Although there is some valuable anecdotal information contained within, there is no scientific validation (or references) to substantiate the statements made. Although most of the clinical information provided is not inaccurate, many of the suggestions are highly controversial and not generally accepted by the tactical EMS community. The author makes these recommendations dogmatically without referencing sources. I applaud the effort Mr. McDevitt has made in to an area of medical practice that needs to be written about, but would wait for a more professionally written source before purchasing.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Far better reading out there., February 24, 2009

By 

Jonathan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tactical Medicine: An Introductory To Law Enforcement Emergency Care (Paperback)

Ian McDevitt who wrote this book also posts on a survival forum I regularly check. He is an arrogant jerk and has often given misguided information to people on the site. His book is filled with the same misguided and outdated information. Ian talks about his accomplishments but after a little research, you realize most of these are hyped up.

For example, all of his military experience was done in the reserves, not active duty. Ian makes it seem like he is a battle torn expert, spending his life in the trenches of war after war. His work on an ambulance as a paramedic is also questionable. Different summaries of this book give different year totals he has been a medic in CT. He brags on the forums about his 23 years in service but a quick search found he is a liar.

Taken from public records on CT DPH web site. He was an EMT-I till 1997 when he became an EMT-P. He has not been a medic for 23 years; not even 18 years as it claims on the books publishers website.

License Type: Paramedic
License Number: (Removed For Review)
Name: MCDEVITT, IAN M
Expiration Date: 9/30/2009
Granted Date: 10/1/1997
License Name: IAN M. MCDEVITT
License Status: Current
Disciplinary Action: None


Do not bother with this book.


Try Ditch Medicine if you are looking for a start in this field. The book is a little older but has much more useful content.