Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Banzhaf | Cpl. Jahvah Thompson (right), a Columbus, Ga., native and combat medic with Company C,...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – Eight combat medics with Company C, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division were a part of a team of 15 medics who provided support for an 82nd Airborne Division jump into Antelope Drop Zone at Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 5.
The medics, most of whom hadn’t provided coverage for this type of event before, first had to attend the Drop Zone Medical Operations (DZMO) Course where they were instructed on the medical procedures necessary for airborne operations and highlighting the injuries that could occur.
“Although the jumping Soldiers train extensively and follow the safety procedures during the jump, there is still a possibility that an injury can occur,” said Staff Sgt. David Saxman, the DZMO program director’s assistant at the Taylor-Sandri Medical Training Center at Fort Bragg, who traveled to Fort Hood to teach the course. “The most common injuries sustained through jumps are concussions.”
Prior to the jump, Saxman and two other representatives from the airborne community at Fort Bragg arrived at Fort Hood to teach the DZMO course. Over a three-day period, the instructors trained the medics and later supervised the real-world airborne operation medical support on the Fort Hood drop zone.
Saxman, who has performed 42 jumps and supported more than 200 drop zone operations, instructed the medics on what type of injuries to expect, how to evaluate for certain injuries, and the procedures to evacuate anyone who was hurt.
For example, to diagnose someone who might have suffered a concussion, the medics would use the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation. MACE is a tool that is used when there are no emergent conditions requiring immediate evacuation. It consists of simple questions and easy memorization lists to test the subject’s brain functions.
For some medics from the 215th BSB, being a medic is more than just doing their job.
“I like helping people in general on a day-to-day basis,” said Cpl. Jahvah Thompson, a Columbus, Georgia, native and combat medic with Company C, 215th BSB. “With the DZMO course, checking our equipment and performing hip pocket training, we were well prepared for the jump.”
Thompson was one of the more senior 3rd ABCT medics supporting the operation and is scheduled to go to airborne school in February.
After learning about what to expect from an airborne jump, the medics checked their equipment extensively ensuring everything was serviceable and up to date.
“Knowing everything about my medical bag is critical,” said Thompson. “When I run up to a casualty, I don’t have time to look around to find what I’m looking for. I even carry a tourniquet with me in my bottom left pants pocket at all times.”
For the drop zone medical coverage, some Soldiers were assigned to Field Litter Ambulance as others patrolled sections of the drop zone on foot.
“The medics did an outstanding job. They were motivated, were knowledgeable, and had great NCO leadership,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Scheuk, a Fort Wayne, Ind., native and operations noncommissioned officer for the 1st Cavalry Division Surgeon. “They worked together to make sure they were ready for anything.”
Soldiers in the ambulances became familiar with routes, loading and unloading actions, and evacuating procedures, while those tasked with patrolling the drop zone practiced evaluating and performing medical care on simulated injuries.
If a medic diagnosed a jumper with a serious injury, they would radio their respective ambulance to drive to their location and load the casualty. They would then take the casualty to the casualty collection point, where the physician assistant could provide further evaluation and decide the next steps needed.
About two hours before the plane was expected to arrive, the Soldiers continued to train and refresh on their roles. As the time got closer, the medics assumed their prepositioned spots.
The medics stood ready in their sectors, their aid bags fastened to their backs, peering into the sky for signs of the plane. As the aircraft flew by, paratroopers jumped from its doors and descended upon the medics, who were eagerly awaiting their arrival.
Within seconds, half of the plane’s passengers were floating down with their parachutes fully opened. The plane then circled around to make another run to unload more Soldiers.
As the paratroopers hit the ground, the medics ran out through the field to meet them, knowing that every second counted if a Soldier was injured.
Thompson sprinted across the field, carrying his medical bag toward the first jumper. Verifying their health both verbally and using a visual inspection, he moved on to the next.
After he and the other medics evaluated all of the paratroopers, they returned to their ambulances and headed toward the CCP where they would review the days’ performance.
“The medics were really good at what they do and very receptive to learning,” said Saxman. “They wanted to learn and showed the drive to accomplish everything they were tasked to do.”
At the end of the day, Saxman addressed the team.
“I was surprised at how fast you guys took off running when the jumpers started hitting the ground,” he said. “Now we can take this class elsewhere and be successful.”
No paratroopers sustained any serious injuries during their jump into Fort Hood, and the medics with the 215th BSB now have additional skills to treat Soldiers in need – regardless of whether they are fellow troopers within the First Team or those just dropping in for a visit.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2014 12:07 |
| Story ID: | 150439 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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