![]() Study Selection and Data-Collection ProcessĪrticles were selected for the review if they (1) were written in English, (2) involved static-line parachute operations, (3) involved military personnel, (4) involved injuries either documented directly on the drop zone or obtained from safety or medical records, and (5) provided a quantitative assessment of any potential airborne-related injury risk factors. Routine military airborne operations have been well described in other publications. Our research expands considerably on the past work 13 by integrating the new investigations performing a systematic review and where possible, conducting meta-analyses to more adequately quantify the risks. We previously performed a narrative review of airborne injury risk factors, 13 but since then, numerous additional studies have been published. As the soldier exits the aircraft, the cord automatically pulls open the soldier's pack that contains the parachute canopy, slowing the soldier's descent. A static line is a cord attached to both the aircraft and the soldier's parachute. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to provide a systematic review of the literature regarding risk factors involved in military static-line parachute operations. Information obtained from military parachuting is of interest to the armed forces and may also inform these other parachuting groups of potential injury risks. Parachuting is an activity performed as a sport and by occupational groups, such as firefighters (smoke jumpers) and rescue personnel. An early step in the injury-prevention process is understanding factors that might place individuals at risk of injury and quantifying the risk in these factors. Therefore, both sports and airborne operations may be associated with adverse conditions that can increase the injury risk during physical activity. Soldiers in airborne operations face many potential hazards, such as adverse weather conditions, exits from fast-moving aircraft, parachute malfunctions, and landing-zone hazards. 8 – 11 As athletes, airborne soldiers prepare by maintaining a high level of physical fitness and practicing jumps from aircraft. ![]() 6, 7 Sport-specific training can have many potential hazards, such as opponent contact, uneven ground conditions, equipment malfunctions, and adverse weather. 4, 5Īthletes prepare for their sports by improving or maintaining their physical fitness and performing sport-specific training. New technologies (eg, improvements in parachutes aircraft and protective devices, such as ankle braces) are being introduced and require additional training for incorporation into airborne operations. After the soldier completes the basic airborne course, additional mandatory airborne training is conducted within the unit to refine skills and keep the soldier airborne qualified. The US Army airborne training comprises a 3-week course that focuses on developing specific knowledge and skills, especially use of the parachute, aircraft-exit techniques, and ground-landing procedures, with additional emphasis on improving physical fitness. 3Īmong modern battlefield-entry techniques, airborne operations involve the most training, technical skills, and hazards. Each entry technique requires appropriate training for successful execution. Whereas overlap can occur depending on the tactical situation, light infantry generally travel on foot, mechanized infantry arrive in armored personnel carriers, air-assault infantry arrive by exiting rotary-wing aircraft (ie, helicopters), and airborne infantry arrive by parachuting from aircraft. 1, 2Īll infantry units have the same basic mission and similar training, but the methods modern infantry units use to arrive at the battleground are different. Infantry units have some of the most physically demanding training of all military occupational specialties and place a great emphasis on discipline, fitness, and aggression. The task for defensive operations is to repel the enemy's assault through the use of weapons, close combat, and counterattack. For offensive operations, the task is to move toward the hostile force and destroy or capture that force through the use of weapons and movement. The critical tasks of infantry have changed little from ancient to modern times. Since the beginning of recorded history, men have faced each other in combat, first with edged and blunt weapons and later with firearms. ![]() Perhaps the most ancient of tactical athletes is the infantry soldier.
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