By the III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
TERNATE, CAVITE, Republic of the Philippines – Sharing lifesaving techniques was the focus of the day, Oct. 17, 2008, as Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines and sailors spent the day teaching each other about combat lifesaving at the Philippine Marine Base.
During the exchange, which was part of this year's Amphibious Landing Exercise, the Philippine Marines demonstrated their techniques in using improvised equipment which ranged from stretchers fabricated from tree limbs and coconut branches to natural remedies derived from local vegetation.
The U.S. Marines and sailors taught methods of treating wounds with the items contained in a Marine's Individual First Aid Kit and then discussed the capabilities of using various improvised supplies that could be found in urban or jungle environments.
"We showed them step-by-step how to use leaves, sticks and rags to dress an open wound or stabilize an extremity that may have sustained wounds," said Seaman Anthony Weinke, a hospital corpsman with the 31st MEU.
During the day, the service members also rotated through several stations where they learned different triage techniques. The techniques included the proper application of a tourniquet, how to dress a sucking chest wound, proper steps in stabilizing the neck during a spinal fracture, and how to administer blood clotting techniques.
Both Philippine and U.S. service members felt feelings of gratification and pride in knowing they could one day save the life of one of their own.
"This training is improving our medical procedures and knowledge, and I feel will help us save each others' lives in ways we didn't know how to," said Sgt. Joseph Ramirez, a squad leader with Battalion Landing Team 6 of the Philippine Marine Corps. "Now all 27 Marines in my platoon know new medical skills and techniques essential for combat survival."
Both sides truly benefited from the integration training. Exchanging skills and experience taught each other the importance of working together.
"Its amazing watching the Philippine Marines accomplish the medical mission with the natural supplies they use like banana tree bark, coconut branches and guava leaves," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joe Anderson, a corpsman with the 31st MEU.
Amphibious Landing Exercise and Talon Vision are annual bilateral training exercises conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military, which enhance military interoperability and improve communities through humanitarian assistance and civil action projects. The exercises are currently taking place from Oct. 15-27.