49th Iraqi Army learn combat lifesavers first aid

Photo By Pfc. Kostandina Maxwell | "I played a casualty with a fractured leg to help Iraqi army soldiers practice putting a splint on the casualty," said Spc. Cody Belcher, Milton, Fla., native and Alpha Battery Soldier, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas. Alpha Battery 2/3rd FA trained the 49th Iraqi army soldiers in Combat Lifesaving first aid, May 20, at the IA brigade headquarters compound in Dibbis District, Kirkuk province, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

05.20.2010

Story by Pfc. Kostandina Maxwell 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUK, Iraq - Alpha Battery's 1st Platoon from the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, assisted in training the 49th Iraqi Army Brigade headquarters in Dibbis District, Kirkuk province, Iraq, May 20.

Alpha Battery Soldiers trained the IA soldiers on first aid and the various injuries that can occur on the battlefield.

"We taught basic first aid, hemorrhaging control, opening and maintaining a clear airway, evacuation and triage," said Spc. Jesse Carrington, a Memphis, Tenn., native and combat medic for 2/3rd FA.

Iraqi army soldiers were taught to identify and treat fractures and broken bones by using a splint to secure the injury, explained Pfc. Michael Sohn, native of Los Angeles, Calif., and combat medic for 2/3rd FA. The proper evacuation from the battle zone was taught and demonstrated so that IA soldiers can learn to safely remove a casualty without causing further injury.

"I have never taken a first aid course before," started IA Sgt. Sami Ali Mohammed, "I learned how to care for and treat casualties with fractures, stomach injuries and internal bleeding."

The scenarios allowed for hands-on training for the IA soldiers, according to demonstrator Spc. Cody Belcher with Battery A and a native of Milton, Fla.

Belcher played a casualty with a fractured leg to help IA soldiers practice putting on a splint, he said.

When in a combat situation, removing the casualty from the battlefield is the first step to saving his life, said Spc. Justin Murrey, Grand Rapids, Mich., native and Battery A Soldier.

"I had a Soldier break his leg from the hip down," said Warrant Officer Ferash Judi Kathem, an IA officer. We didn't know how to move him. We ended up moving him with a blanket which was more painful than helpful for him."

This training was full of useful information that will help the Soldiers of the 49th IA identify and treat casualties on and off the battlefield, concludes the 49th IA Medical Practitioner, 1st Lt. Yasser Hassan Sa'id.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2010
• Date Posted: 05.28.2010 07:54
• Story ID: 50427
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ