Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier at the NCO Academy demonstrates how to treat an abdominal wound...... read more read more
SGT RACHEL BRUNE
101ST SUSTAINMENT BDE
30 JANUARY 2006
Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq " The scene was familiar to any Soldier who ever sat through a basic first aid class.
One student, while evaluating a casualty, began treating a "fractured" leg, as the instructor stood by, repeating: "His guts are on the ground."
The student finally understood what the teacher was trying to tell him " after an interpreter translated the instructions into Arabic.
The Iraqi NCO and his peers were taking a test on basic first aid Jan. 30 as part of the recently-graduated Iraqi army Primary Leadership and Development Course at the Q-West NCO Academy.
"I'm teaching them how to do medical things, but I'm learning, too," said Sgt. Marki Hall, NCO Academy instructor, originally from Company B, 423rd Infantry, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
Although he is an infantryman, Hall, from Ocilla, Ga., is the primary instructor for the first aid section of the NCO course. He learned the medical tasks from a former instructor at the Academy, Staff Sgt. Mario Pratcher, from Memphis, Tenn., who was a combat medic.
This cycle was the second time Hall taught the class on his own since Pratcher's departure. Some of the students have rudimentary knowledge from attending the basic combat training class at the Academy, but some come with no knowledge of first aid, said Hall.
The first day of the first aid section of training consisted of blocks of instruction in how to evaluate a casualty, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, avoid sexually transmitted diseases and maintain personal hygiene. Hall taught from points of instruction Pratcher developed for the course.
The Iraqi soldiers are learning to use first aid they may need to use during missions such as manning a traffic control point. As NCOs, they will return to their units to teach the skills to other soldiers, said Sgt. 1st Class Jomo Anderson, NCO Academy senior instructor, from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 423rd Infantry, 172nd SBCT.
"I think NCOs should always know how to give first aid and how to teach it," said Anderson, a Winston-Salem, N.C., native. He explained, the Academy instructors try to utilize as much hands-on participation as possible.
"The more hands-on [training] we do, the more they retain," said Anderson. "That's with anyone, really."
The second day consisted of a class on how to stop bleeding. Hall demonstrated how to treat various types of wounds on Sgt. 1st Class Mohammed, fellow instructor and Iraqi army soldier.
Hall secured a tourniquet on Mohammed and showed the class how to mark a "T" on his forehead to notify further care providers of his actions.
One student raised his hand with a question. An interpreter translated: "Can we use a stick to tighten [the tourniquet]?"
"Yes," answered Hall. "Anything you can use to twist to get that blood to stop."
Hall is not only the medical instructor, he also runs sick call for the Academy students. Although he refers any complex problems to the Troop Medical Clinic, he is able to treat common aches and pains from physical training or combatives, he said.
After a short break, Hall took the class outside for instruction on transporting incapacitated soldiers. One by one, he demonstrated how to carry a wounded comrade on a litter, and with one or more people.
"You always carry [your patient] head first," said Hall, as he showed the students how to carry a litter. "The only time you carry feet first is when you're going downhill."
Once Hall demonstrated, the students paired up to practice. Hall and Mohammed circulated the small area, trying to make sure each student was performing the skill correctly.
"We teach them, and they are listening," said Mohammed, through an interpreter.
If Mohammed were to go on a mission with this class, he would feel comfortable if they had to use these first aid skills on him, he said.
"The guys are getting good information," said Mohammed. He added, even if the soldiers already know some of the skills, they will get better with more experience at the Academy.
"As we grow, I'm sure our classes will grow also," said Anderson.
Hall learned a lot from Pratcher, as well as from his experience passing on his knowledge to the Iraqi soldiers, he said. He is also looking ahead to bigger things in the future.
"Now my reenlistment window is open, I'm thinking about becoming a medic," said Hall.
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2006 13:16 |
| Story ID: | 5378 |
| Location: | QAYYARAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 17 |
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