If a soldier is injured on the battlefield and urgently needs blood, fast access to blood products could mean the difference between life and death.
Frozen blood can be that difference.
At this year's Exercise Talisman Sabre, for the first time in Australia's land domain, frozen blood products were provided to save lives, if required.
Director Health Materiel, Logistics and Pharmacy, Operational Health Branch, Paul Naveau, said proving the capability was an excellent result for Joint Health Command.
"If you get treatment early, the probability of survival, inclusive of haemorrhage, increases significantly," Mr Naveau said.
"The best outcome is for the ADF to get blood available for combat casualty care as far forward as we can.
"Frozen product that can be stored long term acts as a partial buffer [or] insurance policy, especially when lines of supply are disrupted and the ability to get fresh blood and components is difficult."
The ADF first used frozen blood during the conflict in Afghanistan in 2006, working alongside Dutch surgical teams who had deployed with frozen blood products.
Collaborating with the Australian Red Cross - now Lifeblood, the organisation's blood collection service - Defence brought the technology back to Australia to further refine the process for local conditions and regulations.
'The best outcome is for the ADF to get blood available for combat casualty care as far forward as we can.'
Director General Operational Health Air Commodore Nicole dos Santos said at Talisman Sabre, the ADF collaborated with the National Blood Authority and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
"Defence has long championed frozen blood technology, recognising that the benefits it provides us are equally significant for Australia's remote and rural medical settings," Air Commodore dos Santos said.
"The frozen blood program is a successful collaboration with Lifeblood, supporting ADF health clinicians to deliver trauma care in challenging and harsh environments, while also reducing the vulnerability of long supply chains."
Blood that is not frozen has a short shelf life - red blood cells can only be stored for up to 42 days. There is a continual need for donations to maintain a fresh supply.
In harsh and remote climates where the ADF operates, deep-frozen blood can be kept frozen and ready for use for up to 10 years for red blood cells, seven years for plasma and two years for platelets.
Once thawed and tested, the product is administered and managed like any other blood component.
Frozen blood products are authorised for use in trauma situations during operations within Australia and in overseas deployments.
A formal service-level agreement for frozen blood components, training and technical support has been signed between Defence and Lifeblood.
The Defence Blood Drive runs until December 8. Visit the Lifeblood website to find a donor centre.
