Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorge Saucedo | Spc. Bruce Walker checks Staff Sgt. Vincent Miranda IV pouch as part of training that...... read more read more
KUWAIT - The 437th Medical Company Emergency Medical Technician Basic is a six-man, all-Army technical rescue team of health care specialists, often referred to as 68 Whiskey.
This crew works for the 708th Ambulance Company in support of the Fire House at the Life Support Area, Kuwait and all six military installations in Kuwait.
As part of the allied services of the fire house on LSA, EMT B handles all the ground evacuations. During routine evacuations they administer medical procedures that enable the patient to maintain adequate breathing and cardiovascular circulation until they arrive at one of the local Troop Medical Facilities for advanced medical treatment.
EMTs are the first responders who have unique training that enables them to assess the condition of the patients in their care quickly, and to perform life saving procedures in emergency situations. The team is a diverse group of highly skilled professionals.
Team member, Spc. Jose Lopez from Beaumont, Calif., is a family man who has utilized his skills to deliver this own child. He recalls having to act in an emergency situation helping his wife through labor.
"I got [my wife] into position and pretty much just guided the baby out," said Lopez. Lopez, who is a paralegal, aspires to attain his certification as a paramedic. He chose this field of specialty because he has small children and feels that this type of knowledge can be helpful for all parents.
Twenty-year-old Pvt. Michael Russell is a construction worker who plans on obtaining a medical degree. "I enjoy the medical field, I enjoy helping people," said Russell. Russell has been called to use his skills in the civilian world to help drowning and traffic accident victims. He recalls assisting an accident victim who was in critical condition.
"[The victim] was not doing too well; he was not wearing his seat belt," said Russell, who was able to stabilize the victim until paramedic arrived. Russell has passed on his knowledge to friends and family by instructing them on basic first aid.
Staff Sgt.Vincent Miranda, who is a native of Los Angeles, leads the ambulance company crew. In his opinion, EMT intervenes, at a moment's notice.
"It is a fulfilling feeling to help someone," said Miranda. Miranda is a 10-year Army Combat veteran who admits that he would like to change gears and move into the administration side of the medical field. Miranda and crew have not seen many happenings at the LSA, but expect to become more active as the temperature rises. He expects to encounter more cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration as the summer months approach.
Miranda's crew admits that being a part of the Army Reserves has been of great benefit to them when it comes to their field.
They are allowed to learn and perform medical techniques they say they would have never been exposed to in the civilian world. They also expressed that the training they have obtained is very costly, and they were able to attain this experience through military training.
The 437th has had exposure to extensive medical knowledge and hands-on training to master the techniques of advanced cardiac life support.
This level of proficiency is usually reserved for highly qualified health care providers or at the paramedic level of EMT.
Members of the team are combat veterans who have served time in Iraq handling mass casualties. They plan on sharing their knowledge with the service members of the LSA to enable them to save lives also. The combat life savers course will be offered to any of the LSA members who are interested in learning the skills.
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2009 03:12 |
| Story ID: | 32098 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 420 |
| Downloads: | 401 |
This work, Life Support Area Emergency Medical Technician Basic: First response in providing health care, by PO2 Kim Harris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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