Charlie Company Takes the Lead in Medical Training

By 1st Lt. Jennifer Goines

At a remote forward operating base like Camp Mike Spann in northern Afghanistan, there is always danger of indirect fire.

To help mitigate the possibility of this threat, Charlie Company, 10th Brigade Support Battalion from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team began conducting mass casualties exercise to help prepare themselves as well as the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and other NATO forces there in the event the camp comes under attack.

In early April, twenty two medics from the medical company held a MASCAL training exercise for dedicated first responders. The idea was to make them more familiar with the casualty collection points around the FOB and to better prepare them to treat wounded Soldiers in case an emergency arises.

During the exercise there were four blocks of instruction that consisted of splinting, loading casualties on a gator, airway treatment, and hemorrhage control. Each class was taught how to use the equipment provided to the responders in the CCP medical chests.

Participants rotated to each station, getting enough hands on training to ensure that each understood what they were doing.

Pfc. Kelli Schmeising and Pfc. Mandi Wilson, led the class on splinting. They began by showing the materials they would be using, which included the SAMs Splint, a device commonly used for injuries sustained to the limbs. They then discussed techniques in using the equipment and demonstrated for the group.

Loading casualties on a Gator consisted of a litter patient being fastened onto a Gator for transportation from the CCP to the Troop Medical Center for evaluation and triage. Specialists' Anglique Gray and Thomas Whitmire demonstrated by having a volunteer lie down on a litter. They then showed how to properly strap a casualty into the litter. From there they placed the casualty up onto the Gator and showed how to properly secure a patient to the vehicle so they would not fall off.

The airway obstruction and management segment was taught by Sgt. Eric Jull and Spc. Michael Kambestad, and hemorrhage was taught by Specialists' Keillyn Orpinela and Andrianna Allwood. The airway station taught participants how to properly treat an open or sucking chest wound, a serious wound that all Soldiers learn how to treat.

The most effective teaching tool was the Asherman's Chest Seal, a device that covers an open wound in a casualty's chest but allows air to escape through a flutter valve that is built into it.

The hemorrhage class explained how to dress a wound as well as properly use a Combat Application Tourniquet

"Everyone paid attention to what we taught," said Orpinel. "They all were fast learners and were willing to practice what we taught them."

The medics of Charlie Company showed their proficiency by teaching successful classes on the use of basic medical equipment used to treat a casualty and prepare them for transportation to the TMC. Each class lasted about 30 minutes. At the end of each block of instruction participants were allowed to demonstrate their knowledge with confidence, which was the main objective of the training, to train the first responders for the CCP.

"The training was very useful because we learned our weakness and strengths. Everyone was willing to learn", said Schmiesing, of Gahanna, Ohio. Each participant walked away with a better understanding of what they were to do with some of the medical supplies found in each medical chest.