introduction to the combat lifesaver course - UNC Charlotte Army ...

Introduction to the Combat Lifesaver Course n 233In addition to the IBA and weapons, the exercise also incorporates olduniforms for “casualties” to wear in order to make the training as realisticas possible.“We’ve been donated old uniforms,” said Rhea. “It adds to the realismbecause the students have to expose the (simulated) wound by cutting throughthe clothing.”After completing the course, Soldiers become more confident in their abilityto keep their fellow Soldiers alive if they are hurt on the battlefield.“If I have to perform the CLS tasks, I know what needs to be done,” saidSSG Gregory Dumas Jr., human resources specialist, 2nd Battalion 337th InfantryRegiment (Training Support Battalion), 205th Infantry Brigade. “I won’t beso nervous because the hands-on training was very realistic.”During the final exercise, the students also practiced inserting IVs in eachother to get hands-on experience.“I know that I have seen improvement in my ability to initialize an IV sinceyesterday when we practiced it in the classroom,” said Dumas.Edwards, who is a qualified combat medic, [says requiring] students to applythe skills they were taught in the classroom within a combat environment helpsto ensure that the Soldiers will be able to use them effectively anytime a realsituation does arise.Through the CLS course at Camp Atterbury and others like it throughoutthe Army, Soldiers become better prepared to overcome the stresses andcomplications, that occur on the battlefield, said Edwards.The Atterbury CrierMore than 2,500Soldiers died in Vietnambecause of hemorrhage(bleeding) fromextremity wounds(wounds to the armor leg) even thoughthe Soldiers had noother serious injuries.care under firecare rendered when youare under hostile fireand are very limited inthe care you can providetactical field carecare rendered whenyou and the casualty aresafe, and you are freeto provide casualty careto the best of your abilitycombat casualtyevacuation carecare rendered duringcasualty evacuation(CASEVAC) aboardnonmedical vehiclesor aircraftTactical Combat Casualty CareThere are three types of tactical combat casualty care:1. Care under fire: You are under hostile fire and are very limited in the careyou can provide.2. Tactical field care: You and the casualty are safe, and you are free to providecasualty care to the best of your ability.3. Combat casualty evacuation care: You render the care during casualty evacuation(CASEVAC). Casualty evacuation means moving casualties aboard nonmedicalvehicles or aircraft. You give combat casualty evacuation care while the casualtyis awaiting pickup or is being transported by a nonmedical vehicle.Casualty evacuation(CASEVAC) is differentfrom medical evacuation(MEDEVAC). WhileCASEVAC uses nonmedicaltransport, MEDEVACuses medical vehicles(ground ambulances),medical helicopters(air ambulances),or other medicaltransportation.