From tourniquets to combat gauze, Marines learn life-saving skills

Photo By Sgt. Alexander Mitchell | U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew Little an electrician with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, drags a mannequin after applying a tourniquet during a combat lifesaver course at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, August 4, 2016. During the four-day course, Marines learned to recognize injuries, perform the appropriate procedures and control the patient to prolong survivability until help arrives. U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa Command support operations, contingencies and security cooperation in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell)  

NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, ITALY

08.04.2016

Story by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa complete a combat lifesaver course at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, August 1-4, 2016.

The Marines learned how to check vital areas of the body when potential life threatening injuries occur. The skills learned during combat lifesaver course are vital when no corpsman or doctor is present, but immediate action is necessary to sustain life.

"The goal is to have a faster medical response,” said HM2 Justo Ramirez, a corpsman with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “If a corpsman is not present, someone who is CLS certified can be a first responder to provide a limited amount of medical attention to the downed Marine."
It is important for Marines to recognize an injury and act quickly to control the situation until a corpsman or other help arrives.

"CLS builds the foundation to assist in the battlefield,” said Ramirez. “It helps saves lives, prolongs survivability and increases the chance of survival. This gives a basic understanding of medical requirements and how to spot various signs of injury and act accordingly to treat them."

Throughout the course, the Marines encounter multiple situations that mimic real-world scenarios on the battlefield, giving them valuable practice caring for gunshot wounds, broken bones, blocked airways, missing limbs and much more.

"The course helped us learn about giving first-aid and treating different injuries,” said Lance Cpl. Dylan Dorley, a ground radio maintainer with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “It also helps other Marines that might get hurt or injured because there is more than just corpsman to help out. This is something that every Marine should learn."

• Date Taken: 08.04.2016
• Date Posted: 08.11.2016 10:00
• Story ID: 206787
• Location: NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, IT