I understand that we need our troops to return safely. I know, first-hand, that when emergency procedures are performed on the battlefield it’s only done so as a means of survival. I also know that training every soldier within an earshot is paramount to the survival of a casualty when there are no medics to be called for, which isn’t always a rarity.
I just feel frustrated. I am a soldier – a medic. I began before I entered the military. I became an EMT-B shortly before, and decided I needed to further my education and entrance into the Army Reserve can definitely assist me with my future. I never thought about the possibility of being deployed.
Going to drill every month usually meant sitting around, until I found myself comfortable with a unit that is designed to educate others, specifically ROTC cadets during Warrior Forge, in Ft. Lewis, Washington.
Basic, and complex combat skills are taught. More complex first-aid classes are among the additional skills needed to graduate from the program.
In all honesty, the only thing I see is a bunch of individuals running around without any real adult supervision poking and prodding at each other. They only think they have achieved an understanding of combat medicine, but in reality it’s all just a numbers game.
The Army needs to have these soldiers trained, on paper anyway. It’s a way of explaining readiness and providing statistics to those who actually care.
Simple procedures, such as preventing shock in its most basic form, or bandaging a wound will all be forgotten without continuing education. Take that from me, personally. So why is it the military needs to instruct non-medical, non-combatants on the procedures to initiate an IV? What about needle thoracostomy? Even the insertion of an oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal airway?
It may sound like non-sense to the ear of a professional, such as a nurse, paramedic, or physician. That’s because it is!
I have heard of a soldier attempt to insert an OPA into a casualty that was conscious and able to maintain her own airway. What made it worse is how the casualty vomited, aspirated the vomit, and drowned. She died. I blame her death on the military, and training itself, and not on the soldier attempting to provide adequate combat medical aid. After all, he didn’t know. He was only shown once.
To some, this may be a stupid blog, or insightful to others. But at the very least, if you’re a soldier, make it a priority to know what to do, when to do it. The government is going to show you anyway, there is no stopping that. Just make sure you do your part.
