|
KUWAIT NAVAL BASE, Kuwait – Combat medics with Headquarters and
Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment,
1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division participated
in Table VIII, annual combat medic skills validation testing, Sept.
24 to 25 at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation beach.
The
testing is an annual requirement for all combat medics in order to
maintain their military occupational skill proficiency and
qualified.
|
Sgt. Olga Tunoascanlan, left, a squad leader with HHB, 1st Bn., 5th
FA Regt., 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., observes Pfc. Joshua Elliott,
right, a combat medic with HHB, 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt., insert an
intravenous needle into the arm of Spc. Nathan Matson, a combat
medic with HHB, 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt. on Sept. 24, 2014 at Morale,
Welfare and Recreation beach on Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait. The
Training is a part of the Table VIII annual combat medic skills
validation testing, which all combat medics must successfully
perform to maintain their military occupational skill proficiency.
(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner)
|
Soldiers are also required to complete 72 hours of
continuing education units every two years to maintain their
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
qualification certification with more than 75 percent of
those hours coming from Soldiers completing training on
Tables I through VII.
“Training gives medics an
opportunity to implement the ‘Devil' imperative life-saving
skills in real time and under increased pressure,” said 1st
Lt. Jenny Krause, physician's assistant, HHB, 1st Bn., 5th
FA Regt. “This training allows leaders to ensure our medics
have the skills necessary to save a life when the time
comes.”
Krause, a native of Manhattan,
Kansas said the battalion has 16 combat medics, and it can
be a challenge finding time to maintain Soldiers'
profi-ciency because of an increased battle rhythm.
During the course of the two days, four combat medics were
evalu-ated on opening airways, administering intravenous
medication, hemorrhage control, detailed patient care,
anatomy and physiology, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation,
rapid trauma assessment, and detailed patient evaluation and
evacuation.
Pfc. Joshua Elliott, and Spc. Nathan
Matson, both combat medics, HHB, 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt.,
waited together for the start of the hands-on medical skills
recertification testing.
Elliott, a native of
Seattle, said he loved his job and looked forward to the
annual recertification testing because it reminded him of
why he joined the Army and became a combat medic.
“Medical emergencies don't happen on a schedule, so we have
to always be ready to handle them,” said Sgt. 1st Class
Tiffany Compton, senior medic, HHB, 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt.
“That is why it is so important for our medics to be
proficient in their (military occupational specialty), in
order to provide the best possible care to fellow Soldiers.”
Compton, a native of Houston, said the medics were
tested on more than 50 percent of the tasks and drills
listed in the Medical Education and Demonstration of
Individual Competence manual, and Soldiers had to
demonstrate their familiarity with each task.
“The
recertification testing is very stressful, but it feels good
to re-famil-iarize myself with all the hands-on task and
drills,” said Matson, a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“This makes me a better medic and allows me to provide the
best medical care possible.”
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Bernhard Lashleyleidner
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
Comment on this article
|
