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    Iowa National Guard Medical Trainer Uses Moulage for Realistic Medical Training

    Iowa National Guard Soldier Applies Mock Injury

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tawny Kruse | Sgt. Krystal Thibault, an Iowa National Guard medical trainer at the Sustainment...... read more read more

    JOHNSTON, IA, UNITED STATES

    02.12.2020

    Story by Sgt. Tawny Kruse 

    Joint Force Headquarters - Iowa National Guard

    JOHNSTON, Iowa - Surrounded by makeup palettes and face putty, an Iowa Army National Guard Soldier is working to create realistic training using the moulage technique to make mock injuries during a medical rotation at the Camp Dodge Sustainment Training Center (STC) this week.

    "It adds realism to our training atmosphere," said Sgt. Krystal Thibault, a medical trainer at STC who specializes in moulage application. "It allows medics to think through real injuries and prioritize their treatments."

    Rather than looking at a piece of paper and following an algorithm step by step, Thibault said Soldiers receive higher quality training when they treat a patient dynamically.

    It also teaches them to stay focused when they're faced with gruesome injuries and remember to treat secondary injuries before they become serious ones.

    "Even though an evisceration might be eye-catching, it might not be the thing that's actually going to kill our patient," said Thibault.

    Thibault didn't have any formal training when she was asked to fill this role at STC, but being a mom gave her some experience. She always makes sure to have fun with makeup and create unique costumes.

    "I always say I'm not a very creative person, so this is one of the few times I'm able to use some creativity," said Thibault.

    The moulage process can be used to simulate many types of wounds, and Thibault is always thinking of new scenarios to add. She once found a Soldier who could tolerate black licorice and stuck a small piece on their tooth to simulate an abscess.

    But looking the part of a casualty is only half the battle.

    "I'm making sure they understand how they need to act for a scenario, otherwise it doesn't add as much realism," said Thibault.

    With well-executed mock injuries and a full profile on how to conduct themselves during a casualty role play, Soldiers completing a medical rotation at STC will receive highly realistic training that will prepare them for real-world emergencies.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.12.2020
    Date Posted: 02.14.2020 09:36
    Story ID: 362867
    Location: JOHNSTON, IA, US
    Hometown: ANCHORAGE, AK, US

    Web Views: 331
    Downloads: 2

    PUBLIC DOMAIN