Photo By Stephanie Abdullah | U.S. Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Rominger, hospitalman, of the...... read more read more
RAPID CITY, S.D. — Though it was wet, rainy and muddy, that didn't prevent the Army and Navy joint effort battlefield first-aid classes from taking place as scheduled. Medical staffers from both the Army and Navy Reserve taught classes on how to provide first responder medical aid to comrades who have become battlefield casualties.
The classes included about 45 minutes of instruction at three different stations. Participants received instruction on medical techniques like applying bandages, starting an IV, treating a sucking chest wound, clearing and maintaining an airway, and applying a 9-line medical evacuation procedure and manual carrying techniques.
U.S. Navy Reserve Petty Officer 2nd Class Marvin Makarwich, a hospitalman with the Operational Hospital Support Unit of Dallas, Texas, said the Navy's primary mission during Golden Coyote 2009 is to provide "real-world" medical support to exercise participants.
Makarwich said he appreciated working with the Army to put together the first aid training for the exercise and expects to provide instruction to hundreds of personnel.
"The training is very basic and is designed for nonmedical or nonseasoned personnel," said Makarwich. "The medical techniques taught here can very easily be applied in the field."
While the weather may not have been blue skies and sunshine, Makarwich takes the "if it ain't raining, it ain't training" approach.
"The weather isn't bad enough to affect our training. We have to treat this like it is real- time and simulate real-world scenarios, and inclement weather is a reality on the battlefield," said Makarwich.
Command Sgt. Maj. Melvin Jordan of the 396th Combat Support Hospital of Vancouver, Wash., said he normally works in an administrative function, but this day he went through every training station with his Soldiers and even took to the mud with them in the first aid practical exercise.
"I was reminded today that I could be the first responder in a battlefield medical emergency and it could be up to me to save a Soldier's life," he said. "The training today was extremely valuable and it was clear the trainers weren't just teaching from the textbook. Many of them have combat experience; this allowed them to offer additional information on the "hows and whys" of these techniques," continued Jordan.
Jordan and many others found themselves wet and muddy when it came time for the practical exercise, in which role players acted as the enemy. Participants were engaged by enemy contact from various directions and had to react to the contact, as well as provide appropriate medical treatment to comrades who'd become wounded.
The scenario placed the Soldiers in situations that required quick reactions and allowed them to use the techniques they'd just learned to treat their injured buddies. The practical exercise finale had the Soldiers using manual carry techniques and carrying casualties to a stationary medical evacuation helicopter.
"I've been to Afghanistan twice and Iraq once," said Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Marcus Goodwin of the 6252nd U.S. Army Hospital in San Diego, Calif., who served as an instructor at the IV station.
"The number one killer on the battlefield is hemorrhaging and the number three killer is the sunken chest wound or collapse lung," said Goodwin. "The classes we are teaching will give Soldiers the skills to provide on the spot treatment of these types of injuries and help save lives."
Goodwin noted that confidence is very important when it comes to providing medical treatment and he hopes the trainees leave with more confidence.
While first aid may have been the focus of the training, all members learned leadership skills as well. Spc. Kevin Greer found himself in charge on the battlefield when the two senior leaders became casualties.
"I definitely felt the pressure of leadership responsibilities. It was kind of hard to take the lead and deal with patients too," said Greer. "Overall, I thought the training was really good. The simulated helicopter sounds and all the noise and commotion made it seem real. It was very effective training."
Makarwich noted the training was a great opportunity for the Army and Navy to come together off and on the battlefield.
"When we go to battle, we go to battle together," said Makarwich. "By working together off the battlefield it lets us know we've got a buddy on the battlefield."
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2009 13:13 |
| Story ID: | 34973 |
| Location: | RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 380 |
| Downloads: | 172 |
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