Cold Blood in Modena: the Intervention of the Col Moschin Raider and the Reality of Tactical Medicine

MODENA – A dramatic afternoon in the heart of the historic center turned into a practical demonstration of how military training can make the difference between life and death, even in a civilian context. Last Saturday, on Via Emilia Centro, a car at high speed plowed into the crowd, seriously injuring several passersby. Among the injured, a 55-year-old woman suffered traumatic amputation of her lower limbs.

The toll of the tragedy could have been even more dramatic if it weren't for the casual, yet providential, presence of an officer raider of the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment "Col Moschin". The soldier, off duty at the time, did not hesitate to intervene in the general chaos. Using his training and a lifesaving device (tourniquet, the tactical arterial tourniquet) he carried in his backpack, he stopped the woman's massive hemorrhage, stabilizing her until the arrival of the 118 medical personnel. A gesture of extraordinary readiness publicly praised by the highest Defense authorities.

Who are the "Col Moschin" raiders?

The 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment "Col Moschin" is the elite unit of the Italian Army Special Forces. The raiders operate in high-risk scenarios, often in total logistical and medical isolation. For this reason, every single operator receives advanced training in combat first aid (known as Tactical Combat Casualty Care - TCCC). Knowing how to stop a catastrophic hemorrhage in seconds is part of their standard technical repertoire.

The Regulatory Framework: the "Military Rescuer" Law for Special Forces

The Modena episode shines a spotlight on a fundamental legal and operational figure of Italian Defense: the Military Rescuer for Special Forces.

While the normal "military rescuer" (originally established with Law no. 12 of 2009) is authorized to perform basic first aid and defibrillation maneuvers (BLS-D) in operational contexts, the regulations have evolved significantly to meet the needs of elite corps.

The Interministerial Decree of 2022

A crucial step was taken with the Interministerial Decree of October 20, 2022, issued in implementation of article 51 (paragraph 8-ter) of the Military Ordinance Code. This provision specifically regulates the qualification of the rescuer for special forces.

• Advanced Skills: Unlike the standard rescuer, the Special Forces operator with this qualification receives extensive training (often aligned with NATO standards Special Operations Combat Medic - SOCM). They are trained to perform invasive maneuvers for both basic and advanced life support and for the pre-hospital management of severe trauma.
• Intervention Areas: The law provides that these operators intervene in operational contexts (mainly abroad, on international air or naval means, and wherever Special Operations are conducted) where the prolonged absence of medical personnel or the impossibility of rapid evacuation would compromise the life of the injured or the outcome of the mission.
• No Civil Title: The regulation clearly specifies that this qualification responds to exceptional tactical-military needs and does not confer a title enabling the practice of healthcare professions in the civilian field.

The Paradox and the Value of the "Good Samaritan": Although the law is structured for foreign operational theaters, the training and medical equipment that these soldiers privately equip themselves with (such as the military-derived tourniquet) prove vital even at home in case of attacks, assaults, or serious road accidents, constituting invaluable support for the protection of the community.