THE PRACTICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE/CONCEPTS Emergencies in Space

INTRODUCTION Despite the immense technological feats associated with human extraterrestrial travel, there is always the potential need for emergency medical attention. Historically, the difficulties associated with illness and injury have accounted for the failures of more expeditions on Earth’s frontiers than any other single technical or environmental reason. It is reasonable to believe the same would also be true for the exploration of space. In space, as in most remote inhabitations, most medical problems are manageable locally until definitive diagnosis and treatment are available. However, when the problem is an emergency and the closest medical facility is thousands of miles away, then there are significant risks of an adverse outcome. Evacuation from space is costly and arduous and may not be possible in a timely manner. Fortunately, astronaut selection, medical screening, and the short duration of most missions have made medical emergencies rare. As space exploration progresses to longer missions, interplanetary travel, and possible extraterrestrial colonization with diverse and older populations, the need for improved medical preparation will become increasingly important. Providing emergency medical care to this group will undoubtedly be the most difficult obstacle in any operations and contingency planning. This article examines the current state of emergency medical care for those exploring the frontier of space.