MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETION, Calif. – In combat, when a Marine is seriously wounded, Navy corpsmen have the responsibility of treating to the individual, but when the doc is out of reach, the skills of fellow Marines may be the difference between life and death.
For this reason, eight Marines and sailors participated in the Combat Live Savers course here, March 31.
The CLS course is a program available to all Marines, which prepares them for combat by teaching advanced first aid.
The purpose of a CLS-trained Marine is to provide first-aid care related to many battlefield injuries. The Marines are trained to treat hemorrhaging, burns, broken bones, collapsed lungs and how to treat Marines in shock.
“Basically, my thoughts behind teaching CLS is that we are teaching Marines to save lives by getting them comfortable with the basics,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander P. Moreno, corpsman, 1st Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group. “It enhances the knowledge and confidence of Marines to perform life-saving techniques under any circumstance.”
Corpsmen with 1st Medical Battalion conduct the CLS course on a regular basis for Marines.
“I love instructing CLS,” said Moreno, 29, from Oakland, Calif. “I know that by teaching it, somewhere down the line it can save someone’s life. I’m empowering Marines with basic medical knowledge.”
Many Marines who go through the course enjoy learning what the course has to offer.
Learning about IVs was truly enjoyable, said Sgt. Michael R. Miller, ammo technician, Supply Bn., CLR-15, 1st MLG. The instructors taught them how to use and administer an IV, and during the course, they used practical application.
“What we learned here is useable on the battlefield,” said Miller, “I learned a lot of good stuff.”
The class is useful for anyone who could possibly see combat in the near future. Life-saving skills are a major benefit on the battlefield and CLS Marines are properly trained to reduce the number of battlefield deaths.
“Marines need corpsmen,” said Moreno, “there will be times when a corpsman at their side goes down or cannot reach the Marine. That’s why CLS is there, and we preach self aid, buddy aid then corpsman aid.”
Life-saving skills are extremely important; first aid is literally a matter of life and death, because Marines never really know what type of situations may arise.
“I suggest people who are waiting to go to the fight, or just came back from the fight to take this course, basically anyone who needs to be operationally ready,” said Moreno.
If you are interested in taking a CLS course, please call 1st Medical Battalion S-3 at 760-725-4053.