Battlefield analgesia--a basic approach.

There is a requirement for a basic approach to the provision of analgesia on the battlefield using the morphine autojet. Assuming there is cardiorespiratory stability and no contraindications to opioid therapy, morphine can be administered intramuscularly to a serviceman in pain on a 2 hourly basis provided that there are no adverse effects on the respiratory rate and degree of sedation. This proven simple approach in civilian practice has the potential to be incorporated into Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support (BATLS) and Combat Training Regimens (CTR).