Posted on 11/01/2009 8:19:42 AM PST by SandRat
AL ASAD AIR BASE — U.S. Navy corpsmen continue to train Iraqi Army medics at Camp Mejid, the IA camp here, on combat lifesaving steps to include needle thoracentesis and emergency tracheotomies. 
Hospital corpsmen with Combat Logistics Battalion 46 instruct the medical staff from the 7th Iraqi Army Division during a class at Camp Mejid, an Iraqi Army camp aboard Al Asad Air Base, Oct. 6. Photo by Cpl. Triah Pendracki, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Fwd).
Earlier this month, Navy corpsmen instructed the Iraqi medics
"We're taking a look at the more clinical aspect of medical care," explained Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashlyn Richards, a corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 46. "We're looking at the heart, chest and lungs for basic issues like abnormal breathing."
During the class, the Iraqi medics reviewed the chest cavity, to include the heart and lungs. They each took turns checking a Navy corpsman's breathing with a stethoscope and listened for any abnormal sounds during regular breathing.
Much like their earlier training, they reviewed the proper procedures to stabilize breathing on an injured or ill patient.
The medics also practiced the proper procedures for taking blood pressure on a patient.
When the instruction began on the basic anatomy of the heart, one corpsman's experience reassured the medics of their instructors' knowledge.
"This is where my expertise comes into play," said Chief Petty Officer Jeanie Kittleson, a corpsman with CLB-46 and a physician assistant in the U.S. "For some people, it may be deceiving where the heart is actually located, but it is actually in the center of the chest, not to the left where most people think it is."
Throughout the entire class, the Iraqi medics took notes and asked questions, showing the instructors their enthusiasm for learning.
"It's great to see them retaining the information we give them," said Richards. "It shows that they're paying attention and actually have an avid interest in learning. They even practice during the rest of the week when we're not here for them."
Though the corpsmen teach classes every Monday on Camp Mejid, the medics are slowly becoming less dependent on them for knowledge and supplies. This process of phasing out the aid of the corpsman will make it easier for the Iraqis when all U.S. service members eventually depart Iraq.
Despite the recent bombings in Iraq, the hard work of learning and training with the goal of becoming independent goes on. Iraq’s continued stability and increasing independence is a testament to our miitary’s courage and determination, and Pres. Bush’s leadership. I really miss Pres. Bush.
as do we all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.