Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual

Paediatric Blast Injury Field Manual, a resource aimed at those with medical training and created to provide technical guidance and medical information and outline practical steps and procedures for the treatment of severely injured children, particularly in conflict zones, produced by the Paediatric Blast Injury Partnership, a coalition of doctors and experts founded by Save the Children and Imperial College London, 2019.

When children are injured in conflict zones, rapid intervention and clear thinking are key. Originally designed for use in Syria, this manual helps to support medical professionals – both paediatricians without trauma experience and trauma clinicians without paediatric experience. Research has found that children’s blast injuries are different to those of adults and that they are more likely to be seriously injured.

Designed to be robust and practical, this manual can be taken into the field and includes simple step-by-step instructions and flowcharts to guide healthcare workers to the best outcome possible for their patients. The manual covers the whole treatment of an injured child including the initial emergency response, trauma care and ongoing treatment. As well as guidance on treating physical injuries, there is also information about psychological challenges, rehabilitation and safeguarding. Furthermore, the manual also accounts for the toll that treating children can take on healthcare workers and there is a section on how they can look after their mental health and wellbeing.