Calm under Pressure and Fear under Fire: Personal Experience of a Medical Officer

Mass casualties during war, civil unrest, or natural disasters can generate chaos and disarray in the emergency room setting. The influx of numerous casualties in a short period of time can paralyze the medical facility and cause irreparable damage to the injured. Maintaining calm and order is very essential for triage of patients, for providing efficient and expeditious medical care, and can save many lives. Coping with fear under fire is one of the most acute problems a medical officer has to face in the battlefield. Not only does he/she have to counsel fellow soldiers, but also he/she has to deal with his/her own anxiety and fear. The following two personal experiences can serve as an instructive example of the kind of problems a medical officer has to face during war.