U.S. and British troops bridge medical gap

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Felix Figueroa | British Lt. Col. Scott. Frazer, clinical director of Brady lanes medical facility, shows U.S. Navy Christopher Conley, hospital corpsman, and Lt. Cmdr. Amy Garret, and the European style portable are ventilator and instructs them on their use.  

BASRA, IRAQ

09.14.2007

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Felix Figueroa 

82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade

By Sgt. 1st Class Felix A. Figueroa
82nd Sustainment Brigade

BASRA, Iraq — U.S. Navy medics assigned to the 2515th Naval Air Ambulance Detachment recently met up with their British counterparts to talk about ways to streamline lateral communications and familiarize each other with equipment.

"We've met some British medical personnel in passing while dropping off and picking up patients," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher J. Conley, hospital corpsman, 2515th NAAD.

"What we learned was that some of their medical terms used to describe a simple procedure, is used by us to describe something major. Knowing the difference clears confusion and saves time when dealing with life or death situations," Conley said.

During the tour of the British medical facility, The Sailors learned other techniques in stabilization dealing with intubation, loading and off loading of patients from both U.S. and British helicopters and triage.

In addition to the American's learning experience, the British learned what capabilities were available to them on the U.S. side.

"We're constantly trying to improve our methods and working relationships with others in theatre assets," said Lt. Cmdr. Amy Garret, flight surgeon and medical director, 2515th NAAD.

"There is no reason for anyone to be under utilized in theatre. Now that they (British) know we have MEDEVAC (Medical Evacuation) capabilities nearby and our corpsmen are highly skilled, trained and combat tested, we have now become a reliable source of care for coalition partners as well," Garret said.

Both sides have stated that they will come together some time in the near future for a mass casualty evacuation exercise in order to implement lessons learned.

• Date Taken: 09.14.2007
• Date Posted: 09.14.2007 13:27
• Story ID: 12346
• Location: BASRA, IQ