Sailors enhance medical expeditionary training with new program

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Aaron Cagley | HM1's Muierlmedina and Baker are practicing Low Light IV insertions as part of the FROST series initiated at NMRTC Charleston. FROST, Fleet Readiness and Operational Sustainment Training, prepares and sustains all active duty staff for deployment readiness.  

GOOSE CREEK, SC, UNITED STATES

12.12.2023

Courtesy Story

Naval Health Clinic Charleston

Each month, Sailors at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Charleston attend Fleet Readiness and Operational Sustainment Training (FROST), which provides a basic understanding and skill set related to operational and expeditionary medical platforms. The program was developed by Lt. Bailey Martin, a nurse corps officer, Nurse Corps and Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jacob Storey in August 2023 to provide an evolving operational training platform that supplements Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and Hospital Corpsman Basic Skills (HMSB) programs.

The program focuses on ensuring Sailors not currently attached to an operational platform become comfortable with high-fidelity knowledge and skills while maintaining a “fight tonight” posture. The training is conducted within classrooms, simulation labs or outdoors under simulated wartime conditions with the use of sound, lighting, and the use of mannequins and live actors.

Starting in August 2023, NMRTC Charleston implemented monthly topics, which build upon the previous month to ensure Sailors receive well-rounded knowledge regarding large-scale scenarios. In the first module, Sailors are trained in basic aseptic techniques, focusing on the proper preparation and maintenance of a sterile field. In the second module, the topics included triage and mass casualty, where Sailors gained an understanding of common triage tags along with the different levels of triage available. In the third module, known as the Triage Scenario, involves Sailors working in small teams to categorize live actors into the correct triage category. Lastly, in the fourth module, intravenous protocols, teach Sailors how to best locate viable insertion sites, properly initiate the intravenous line, and correctly discontinue the line. Within a 10-week period, a total of 198 Sailors received training in these modules.

Within the next year, the program will focus on other pertinent operational topics, such as low-light intravenous protocols, force protection protocols, suture and staple training, operational medication challenges, burns/blast/blunt/penetration wound care, low-light casualty simulation, operational litters, nine line and Mechanism of Injury, Injury, Signs and Treatment (MIST) reports, nine line and litters, and shipboard emergencies.

Each training module has been developed with high focus on Navy Medicine and fleet training priorities. The goal is to fill the gap between capabilities of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Commands with expeditionary medical facilities and other operational platforms.

Future initiatives of the FROST program will strive to incorporate joint medical training between all services. The goal ultimately is to build a strong medical force ready to exercise best joint efforts alongside the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Army for worldwide deployment.

• Date Taken: 12.12.2023
• Date Posted: 12.11.2023 13:32
• Story ID: 459645
• Location: GOOSE CREEK, SC, US