Ark. Combat Medics Teach First Aid During Training Pause
“And I'd tell you it doesn't get any easier. Every time, it’s pretty uncomfortable,” said Spc. Gavyn Edwards, combat medic with the 206th Field Artillery Regiment. “But you’ve got to teach everybody how to use what's in their IFAK. And the best way to teach them is to show them.”
Teaching the U.S. Army’s Improved First Aid Kit is a “go-to” resource for combat medics on the gun line to keep gun crews alert and ready while they wait for the next call for fire. In the kit, Soldiers have the basics to treat the leading causes of battlefield trauma: tourniquets, hemorrhage control combat gauze, wound dressings, chest seals, and the nasopharyngeal airway with lubricant.
“And so there's a MARCH order,” said Edwards, referring to the five steps of M-A-R-C-H: Massive Hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia/ Head, used in Tactical Combat Casualty Care to treat the most life-threatening injuries first. “You get past massive hemorrhage, and you need to ensure that your battle buddy's got an adequate airway and that it's open.
“Get that head tilt, chin lift, get the NPA, get that petroleum jelly on there, and get it in there.”
Before getting the NPA inserted in his nasal passage, Edwards reenforced the contraindications for when not to use the nose hose, like a basil skull fracture or severe maxillofacial trauma.
“Obviously, we teach them that there are things to look for to “not” put [the NPA] in. And so we teach them to look for facial trauma. And if there are no raccoon eyes, no fluid leaking out of the ears. Go ahead and put an NPA in them.”
Edwards works in the medical profession while studying for a degree in medicine, and he likes the financial freedom he gets from the Arkansas National Guard’s Tuition Waiver Program. Being a full-time student and a Soldier all while working and living in his hometown near his family is a life-balance, he says, he couldn’t find anywhere else.
“I'd say my favorite part is just kind of getting to look after everybody, ensuring everybody's safety,” said Edwards after the gun line class. “It's really nice to know when your “battles” trust you and that they know that they can depend on you. And it's also really fun to teach classes. Make sure that they know that their knowledge is tip-top on how to take care of each other.”
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
