Iraqi Marines learn lifesaving skills

Courtesy Photo | Petty Officer 1st Class Leroy Devon McCray, a native of Loris, S.C., and a medical advisor with Iraqi Marine Training Team 03, demonstrates how to evaluate a casualty during the combat hemorrhage control training at Iraqi Marine Base, Umm Qasr, Sept. 10. Seventeen Iraqi Marines participated in the training that shows them how to prevent excessive bleeding and shock.  

UMM QASR, IRAQ

09.10.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Edward Daileg 

United States Forces – Iraq, Deputy Commanding General (Advising and Training)

UMM QASR, Iraq - In combat, service members risk their lives every day. Whether they go out on missions or conduct simple operations in their area of responsibility, the risk still remains. As a result, these service members must be prepared to react and perform lifesaving procedures.

U.S. Marines at Iraqi Marine Base, Umm Qasr, provided combat hemorrhage control training to 17 Iraqi Marines, Sept. 10, improving their lifesaving skills in emergency situations.

The train-the-trainer course focused on hemorrhage control methods which are among the first and most important first-aid steps to prevent shock or death of a casualty who is losing excessive amounts of blood due to injuries. These methods help mitigate the chances of organ failure which could result in death.
The Iraqi Marines received training to provide self and buddy-aid to stabilize casualties for further treatment.

“The Iraqi Marines were taught how to control a hemorrhage with pressure points, direct pressure and Quikclot combat gauze,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Leroy Devon McCray, a native of Loris, S.C., and a medical advisor with Iraqi Marine Training Team 03.

Although applying a Quikclot combat gauze and direct pressure on pressure points controls most external bleeding, for some worst-case casualties, caregivers may have to use tourniquets.

“The Iraqi Marines were also taught how to properly apply a tourniquet on arm and leg injuries as the final option to stop casualties from bleeding and going into shock,” said McCray.

During the training, the Iraqi Marines showed their eagerness to learn despite the language barriers they faced throughout the course.

“The Iraqi Marines encountered challenges with medical terminology during the training,” said McCray. “Despite the language difficulties, they responded well.”

“They were excited to learn how the Quikclot Combat Gauze worked along with applying direct pressure to stop bleeding,” he said. “It was a technique they never used before.”

With this training, the Iraqi Marines will be able to teach their fellow Marines the life saving skills that increases the chance to save one another’s lives on the battlefield.

“This training is important for the Iraqi Marines,” said McCray. “They need the knowledge to perform self and buddy-aid, which will help them save the life of a fellow Marine if they do not have a medically trained person to perform these life saving measures.”

• Date Taken: 09.10.2011
• Date Posted: 09.14.2011 02:03
• Story ID: 76987
• Location: UMM QASR, IQ