PAKTIYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the Afghan 203rd Corps Engineers Kandak (CEK) successfully completed a five-day Combat Lifesavers (CLS) course at Forward Operating Base Thunder, June 5. The 203rd CEK graduates are now capable of assisting and treating casualties in a combat environment.
“The soldiers quickly realized how important this universal training is,” said Capt. Caleb Tallent, executive officer for the Security Force Assistance Advisor Team (SFAAT) partnered with the 203rd CEK at FOB Thunder. “They quickly grasped the concepts and enthusiastically participated in hands-on exercises.”
“So far, the program is successful and will be incorporated Kandak wide with Afghan medics as the lead instructors,” said 1st Lt. David Niblick, a member of the SFAAT.
Day one of CLS training was dedicated to learning how to control bleeding on the battlefield. The day consisted of a classroom portion and a practice exercise, where the soldiers learned and demonstrated how to apply a proper tourniquet.
Day two consisted of classes on opening airways and treating chest wounds. The soldiers were given the proper techniques of inserting a nasal pharyngeal, and immediately put their training to practice as they applied nasal pharynges to their fellow soldiers.
Days three, four, and five included classes on bone injuries, treating for shock, field hygiene, and medical evacuation procedures. The practical exercises included applying splints to fractured bones and assessing hot and cold weather injuries.
Graduation day was filled with the feeling of accomplishment as the graduates received their certificates of achievement from Afghan Lt. Col. Sado Gul Wardak, 203rd CEK commander.
The completion of this course gives the Afghan soldiers lifesaver capabilities that extend down to the individual soldier. No longer are they constrained to the availability of combat medics, but will look into their ranks for medically trained first responders on the battlefield.
| Date Taken: | 06.16.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.16.2013 05:02 |
| Story ID: | 108732 |
| Location: | PAKTIYA PROVINCE, AF |
| Hometown: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Hometown: | KILLEEN, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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