Corpsmen teach CLS aboard USS America

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Donald Holbert | Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South learn how to properly find a vein for intravenous fluid replacement during a combat lifesaver course aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), July 31, 2014. The Marines were taught several different lifesaving techniques over a three-day period, and were tested during a final exercise in order to receive their certification. Certified Combat lifesavers are trained to provide initial medical aid for their unit in combat situations. The course was given to prepare the Marines for their bi-lateral training in Brazil. Bi-lateral training with our partners develops, maintains and strengthens the relationships that facilitate the cooperation needed in the event of a crisis requiring a multinational effort. SPMAGTF-South is currently embarked aboard America on her maiden transit, “America Visits the Americas”. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Donald Holbert/ Released)  

AT SEA

08.09.2014

Story by Cpl. Donald Holbert 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South

AT SEA- U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen with the Logistics Combat Element of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force South taught a combat lifesaver course for Marines aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Aug. 1.

The Marines who participated were tested on basic lifesaving techniques in order to become certified combat life savers for the SPMAGTF.

Certified combat lifesavers benefit their unit by being able to provide initial medical aid in combat situations, greatly increasing the survivability of a casualty.

“What the combat lifesaver course is intended to do is teach Marines basic lifesaving techniques,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class James Johnson IV, U.S. Navy hospital corpsman with SPMAGTF-South, and a native of New Orleans. “If we can teach these basic lifesaving interventions, then we can help prolong life and bring more Marines home.”

During the course, the Marines were taught the importance of knowing how to assess and prioritize a situation requiring medical aid.

“Everything that we teach them about, we make them touch and use. That way they’re not on the battlefield having to utilize it and they’re seeing it for the first time,” said Johnson. “The more Marines that have this class under their belt, it makes my job easier in the event of a mass casualty situation.”

By the conclusion of the class participants learned and practiced the main learning points of how to apply a tourniquet, apply a nasopharyngeal airway and needle decompression.

The Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF-South will work together to implement the CLS course in their upcoming bi-lateral training with the Brazilian military.

“Our primary mission as the SPMAGTF is exchange of information,” said Johnson. “We are taking Marines out with us to Brazil and felt we should have Marines that have taken the class so they know what they’re helping us teach.”

The Marines of SPMAGTF-South are embarked aboard the future amphibious assault ship USS AMERICA (LHA 6) on her maiden transit, "America Visits the Americas". A SPMAGTF is a balanced air, ground and logistics force that can be tailored to accomplish missions across a wide range of crises. Through partner-nation activities, key leader engagements and security cooperation activities, the Marines and Sailors of SPMAGTF South will demonstrate the flexibility, utility and unparalleled expeditionary capability the Navy-Marine Corps team provides our nation and partners.

• Date Taken: 08.09.2014
• Date Posted: 08.09.2014 22:56
• Story ID: 138896
• Location: AT SEA