Photo By Spc. Jessica Haney | An Iraqi student conducts needle decompression using training-aid during an Emergency...... read more read more
Subscribe
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Members of the Iraqi Army, Police, firefighters and other organizations training to be first responders visited Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq, for an Emergency Medical Technician course, July 15.
The 135-hour course is the first of its kind to be offered in the Salah ah-Din province. The course is designed to enhance the medical skills of first responders and create more medical professionals. It is engineered to integrate the medical proficiency of an EMT with the tactical proficiency of a policeman and Soldier.
“EMTs are the first responders to medical events,” said Sgt. Brian Evans, the battalion medical training non-commissioned officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division out Fort Stewart, Ga. “With the drawdown, we’re going to be leaving. They’re going to be the ones left to maintain the jobs we were doing. They will have to perform life-saving measures to keep their buddies and fellow Iraqis alive.”
Life-saving techniques are what the students will learn during the five-week course. The focus of the training is how to properly conduct pre-hospital emergency medicine, such as treating for shock and keeping patients medically stable until arriving at the hospital. Additional instruction on advanced treatment, such as caring for eye injuries, broken bones and open abdominal wounds is also taught. At the completion of the course, students will be given practical and written exams.
“It’s something that they need,” said Evans. “It will bring the level of care up to a good standard, so they can maintain once we leave. It will help them in life-saving emergencies.”
Instructors and supervisors believe the students are motivated and want to attend.
“They are doing very well,” said Evans, a Cincinnati native. “They’re picking up the training quickly. They are all very eager to participate and perform the tasks.”
Although many students have been taught first aid before, they are confident with the criteria and instruction.
“We’ve had classes before,” said Cpl. Majid al-Ajili, an Iraqi soldier with the Civil Defense Department. “The instructors and hands-on training is outstanding. It gives us more knowledge and understanding. I’m glad to be here because the course is outstanding. We feel comfortable and confident with the course. I’m sure we will be the instructors one day and help others serve the people.”
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2010 17:04 |
| Story ID: | 52987 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 182 |
This work, U.S. medics teach first responders life-saving skills, by SPC Jessica Haney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT