Lifesaver Course Designed for Combat in Iraq

Defend America News ^ | Pfc. Jason Dangel

[SandRat]

Johnson Pulling Guard.jpg Pfc. Charles Johnson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, guards a downed buddy during the scenario portion of the Cobra Responder Course at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Jason W. Dangel
Lifesaver Course Designed for Combat in Iraq
'Cobra Responder' is specifically designed to teach soldiers basic trauma care on the battlefield.
U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Dangel 4th Brigade Combat Team BAGHDAD, March 6, 2006 — Emergency medical treatment is imperative when time and distance limit quick casualty evacuation. The “golden hour,” the first 60 minutes following a traumatic injury, has long been recognized by medical personnel as vital to saving lives. "There’s not always a medic on hand. It’s good to know that if your buddy goes down, you can give him some type of aid to maybe save his life." Pfc. Charles Johnson In an effort to better train soldiers in immediate life-saving techniques, the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, now offers Cobra Responder, a two-day course similar to the Combat Lifesaver Course. The difference is that it is designed to teach soldiers essential life-saving skills specific to the current combat environment in Iraq. “This class is specifically designed to teach soldiers basic trauma care on the battlefield,” explained Pvt. Michael Luna, lead course instructor and a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. “Every minute counts, and if these guys can recognize and stabilize wounds quickly, the chance the casualty will live is very high,” said Luna, a native of San Antonio. Cobra Responder is a link in the military chain of survival between basic first aid and the platoon medic, who is a fully qualified medical professional, he explained. Cobra Responder trains soldiers in immediate emergency first aid and reviews lifesaving techniques previously learned in CLS, such as rescue breathing, evaluation of a casualty, heat and cold weather injuries, broken limb splints and burn treatment. In addition, soldiers are also taught how to correctly extract a casualty from a vehicle, identify and treat tension pneumothorax (a condition in which the chest becomes filled with fluid and/or air), and various techniques to stop hemorrhaging as well as performing a nine-line medical evacuation. Pfc. Brian Carpenter, chemical operations specialist, performs and intravenous injection during the Cobra Responder Course. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Jason W. Dangel	Spc. Matthew Vanburen inserts a nasal airway into the nostrils of Pvt. Michael Luna, medic, during the Cobra Responder Course at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Jason W. Dangel On day one, soldiers spend time in the classroom reviewing medical terms and techniques. On day two, they get an opportunity to make assessments using practical exercises. Luna said while soldiers are taught a number of life-saving techniques, instructors heavily emphasize management of severe bleeding and the ability to treat casualties quickly and efficiently. “When we get to the hands-on segment of the class, everything learned in the classroom comes together,” said instructor Spc. Timothy Hilinski, HHC, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, a native of Cleveland. During the scenario portion of the class, soldiers can expect to receive training in tactical field care — developing the ability to properly assess a casualty while under fire without further injuring the soldier or themselves. Each scenario is modeled after what soldiers may encounter while serving in Iraq. Pfc. Charles Johnson, a class participant, who serves as a radio transmissions operator, HHC, 4th Brigade Combat Team, said he feels confident that after completing the Cobra Responder Course, he will be better prepared to treat casualties on the battlefield. “There’s not always a medic on hand,” explained the soldier from Grayson, Ky. “It’s good to know that if your buddy goes down, you can give him some type of aid to maybe save his life.” Luna said he believes today’s combat environment has seen fewer casualties than previous wars due to both the improved medical equipment and improved medical training of soldiers on the front line. “We are giving these soldiers the training necessary to help give qualified medics, doctors and surgeons the opportunity to save lives,” said Luna. The course is considered a bare minimum for soldiers who must provide first response to a call for help.

[SandRat]

First Responder Emergency Preparedness in Combat Course

[Squantos]

Blow Out Kit BTTT !

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[roaddog727]

Combat Lifesaver course Bump.

[Allegra]

Even we civilian scum have to take combat first aid classes and participate in drills before coming over here. It's not as comprehensive as what the military takes, but it certainly could be useful.

And then there's "duck and cover" class... ;-)