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Combat Lifesavers

Photo By Matt Acosta | Spc. Christian Hardwick, medic, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, Task Force Liberty,...... read more read more

BALAD, IRAQ

09.20.2005

Courtesy Story

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE PALIWODA, Balad, Iraq -- Medical support for soldiers with boots on the ground is a critical part in waging war.

As Iraqi troops take over the role of conducting combat operations and raids, they must also step up to the role of providing their soldiers with the proper medical support, whether the routine sick-call patient or a wounded soldier with traumatic injuries.

Equipping the Iraqi army with medical personnel requires training from Coalition Soldiers who possess the ability to bridge the gaps in technology, language and customs between Coalition Forces and the Iraqi army.

"Right now, Iraq's emergency medical system is in the process of being stood up," said Cpl. Slade Deister, medical supply noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, Task Force Liberty. "We're helping them as much as we can to treat both their military and civilian casualties and their sick."

Although the Coalition Forces are helping to set up the emergency medical system and treating Iraqis for medical related issues, they have started to turn away people and soldiers from coming to the Coalition base gate for free medical heath care and divert them to the hospital in Balad.

"Sometimes, it breaks my heart to see someone in extreme pain, only to tell them they need to go to the hospital in Balad for treatment," said Spc. Dominic Italiano, medic and combat lifesaver instructor, Task Force 5-7. "But if we don't turn them away, they'll just keep coming here for treatment for the most minor injuries to life-threatening traumatic wounds. But obviously, if it's life threatening, then we do what we can for the patient. Otherwise, we send them down the road," he added.

Since the Iraqi army is moving to take over combat operations in the area, Italiano said the decision was made to start training some Iraqi soldiers in first aid, starting with the combat lifesaver course.

"The soldiers attend a three-day course learning the basics of first aid," Italiano said. "They get instruction in bandaging, splinting, checking for pulse and breathing, how and when to give (intravenous injections), how to assess a casualty and the fireman's carry, to name a few."

He said many of them receive the training well and, out of those who can read and write, a select few are sent for further training as medical personnel in the Taji and Tikrit medical facilities.

Training the Iraqi soldiers hasn't been without its share of challenges.

"In the beginning we used slides with words on it, but, since many Iraqi soldiers can't even read, it didn't work as well as we had planned," Deister said. "So we decided to use interpreters to help train the class explaining everything we say into Arabic, which works well. Then we decided to put the Iraqi unit's medics to work helping us train these soldiers, integrating them into the training."

Since they started incorporating the Iraqi medics into the training, the soldiers have been able to learn at a much faster rate and retain more knowledge when they take the final exam, Italiano said.

"Their customs also differ from ours in a sense when we need medical care we get it," said Italiano. "But they think if Allah wants them to live, he will save them. So sometimes, it's a bit difficult to get them to the point where they will treat each other if needed without worrying about "godly repercussions.""

"There have been soldiers who have thrown-up while getting IVs because the thought of not knowing if they are going against their own beliefs makes them physically sick," he added. "Treating them and training them is a challenge, but we've got it now, and they're doing just fine with it."

Deister said the ultimate goal was to get the Iraqi army to stop relying on Coalition Forces for medical support. The Iraqi army already has a medical supply system in place, with a constantly growing inventory.

"They need to realize we're not going to be here forever to help them," said Italiano.

The Iraqi medics can effectively treat many injuries they encounter while out on patrol and raids, so Coalition Forces do not have to worry about using all their supplies on them, Desiter said.

"Because we have our Soldiers to worry about," he added.