Army and Navy receive medical training

Photo By Spc. Ry Norris | Pvt. Frank Colvin practice proper nasal pharyngeal airway insertion on Spc. Bonnie Tarpley, both from 334th Signal Company, 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, during a medical training, Feb. 3, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse. An NPA is used to open a blocked airway in a casualty.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

02.03.2010

Story by Spc. Ry Norris 

United States Division-North

DIYALA, Iraq — Eleven Soldiers from 334th Signal Company, 296th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and five Sailors from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12, Company 1, Platoon 2, attended a joint medical training, Feb. 3, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

"Every Soldier should receive medical training, to be a first responder. In the event of a casualty, the Soldiers will have the knowledge to render first aid to the casualty and stabilize them in order to save lives," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Neufeld, a platoon sergeant with 334th Sig. Company.

The training was taught by Spc. Jaycee Guffy, a medic with Company C, 296th BSB. He covered assessing a casualty, clearing airways, protecting wounds, splinting limbs, and starting intravenous fluids. The Soldiers and Sailors familiarized themselves with the supplies from a medical kit and what can be used if they do not have the needed supplies.

The training included demonstrations and practical application. For example, the service members practiced proper nasal pharyngeal airway insertion. This is used to open a blocked airway in a casualty. The NPA can save lives, but it can cause pain and discomfort if placed incorrectly.

"We're training for a dangerous mission," said U.S. Navy Lt. Ramesh Haytasingh, the platoon commander of EOD Mobile Unit 12. "These Soldiers will be our personal security escort. That's what makes this situation unique. They specialized in communication, not infantry. We want to be prepared."

These service members will conduct joint operations with Iraqi security forces to help rid the province of improvised explosive devices.

"The Soldiers have a better general understanding of medicine. There should be no delay from point of injury to the primary treatment facility," said Guffey.

For some, the two hour medical training was a basic overview course. For others like the EOD sailors who are tactical combat casualty care certified, the Navy equivalent to the Army's combat life saver certification, the training was a refresher course.

Medicine is constantly changing. What was good when I went through medical training is not good now, said Guffey.

• Date Taken: 02.03.2010
• Date Posted: 03.24.2010 02:32
• Story ID: 47122
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ