Soldiers learn lifesaving skills at Combat Lifesaver Course

Photo By Staff Sgt. Peter Berardi | Maj. Brian White, a member of the 316th ESC, moves for cover during the physical evaluation portion of the Combat Lifesaver Course at Fort Dix, N.J., March 15.  

FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES

03.16.2012

Story by Sgt. Peter Berardi 

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

FORT DIX, N.J. — Thirty-one soldiers of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) attended a Combat Lifesaver Course, March 13-16, at Fort Dix, N.J.

The course, which is taught at the Fort Dix Medical Simulation Training Center, teaches soldiers lifesaving skills and techniques by using a combination of classroom lessons, hands on practice and a combat environment simulation evaluation.

This course provides clear and concise information on first-aid skills and techniques performed while under fire and during non-combat situations, said Paul LaPadula, a native of Browns Mills, N.J. When the skills taught in this course are applied properly, casualties have a much greater chance of survival, said LaPadula, a technical trainer for the CLS course since 2008. When asked to give advice to the soldiers he had this to say, “Learn your tourniquets and communication is everything.” Team building is also a very important part of this course he added.

Capt. Yao Pone, a member of the 316th ESC Support Operations Finance section, thought that the course was very good, to-the-point instruction. It was easy to pick up on and all of the Soldiers that attended passed the test, added Pone. “The obstacles were fun but it’s not just playtime, the application phase was intense hands-on training,” he said.

Spc. Michael Miano, a member of the 316th ESC HHC from Slippery Rock, Pa., thought the course taught a lot of skills and techniques and yet was still fun. Miano enjoyed the final physical evaluation the most. “We got to try as a team to use what we learned,” he said.

After graduating the Combat Lifesaver Course the soldiers of the 316th ESC will have the skills and techniques to ensure a safe return home from their upcoming deployment to Kuwait later this year.

For further information on the 316th ESC or its soldiers please contact Sgt. 1st Class Brian Scott at [phone] [e-mail]

• Date Taken: 03.16.2012
• Date Posted: 03.16.2012 15:09
• Story ID: 85372
• Location: FORT DIX, NEW JERSEY, US
• Hometown: PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, US
• Hometown: SLIPPERY ROCK, PENNSYLVANIA, US