McAfee preps marchers for Bataan, holds blister clinic

Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Michael Williams watches as Spc. Bryn Taylor demonstrates proper wrapping techniques to reduce the possibility of blisters during McAfee U.S. Army Health and Dental Clinic’s Blister Prevention and Treatment Clinic, at McAfee, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, March 20. This is the second year the clinic has been held at McAfee to better prepare marchers for the annual 26.2-mile long Bataan Memorial Death March at WSMR slated to take place March 25.  

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, UNITED STATES

03.23.2018

Story by Marcy Sanchez  

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

On March 25, a record-setting 8,400 individuals are expected to participate in the 76th annual Bataan Memorial Death March, a grueling 26.2-mile trek through the intense Chihuahuan Desert encompassing White Sands Missile Range, in honor of tens of thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members who were captured by Japanese forces and forced to march approximately 65 miles to confinement camps.

While 26.2 miles is a familiar number, the distance of the traditional marathon, covering the distance in the desert, for those marching in the heavy divisions with an extra 35 pounds, may prove difficult for novice and even seasoned participants.

To better prepare marchers for the long haul, McAfee U.S. Army Health and Dental Clinic held three Blister Prevention and Treatment Clinics, March 20-22.

“Being a medic, (blisters) is one of the most common (ailments) you provide medical assistance to in a large group of people, especially during ruck marches (marches with heavy packs),” said Spc. Bryn Taylor, a combat medic at McAfee who instructed one of the clinics. “Most people do not take care of their feet as much as they should (during marches such as Bataan).”

The clinic focused on blister prevention on feet and introduced participants to proper prevention techniques, such choosing fitting and fitted footwear, appropriate socks, and pre-wrapping, or taping, trouble spots with appropriate tapes.

“I’ve seen some pretty big, gross (blisters) on the balls of feet as large as a half dollar,” shares Taylor, a Chicago native. “It’s when you don’t notice it or keep pressing on, that’s when they develop into large blisters.”

While this is the second year McAfee has provided the clinic to Bataan participants, for Michael Williams, a 66-year-old Las Cruces native, this is his first time attending a blister clinic which may offer resolutions to a long-time problem for the Navy veteran.

“I’ve got blisters every time,” said Williams, who has took up Bataan’s extreme challenge approximately 15 times before.

According to Williams, each year he has completed the march, it’s been difficult to walk for the next few days due to blisters and soreness. Information passed during the clinic will better prepare Williams for Sunday with new techniques to prevent and self-treat blisters during the march. This year, Williams plans to join his daughter during her initiatory go at Bataan.

While blisters do pose a problem for marchers during the march, Taylor warns marchers to drink plenty of fluids before and during the march, as dehydration is a common ailment at the event.

McAfee U.S. Army Health and Dental Clinic oversees medical operations and support leading to and during the annual Bataan Memorial Death March.

• Date Taken: 03.23.2018
• Date Posted: 03.23.2018 17:28
• Story ID: 270461
• Location: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: LAS CRUCES, NM, US