Afghan Police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud

By 3rd IDFebruary 22, 2013

Afghan police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Afghan National policemen and U.S. Army Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard prepare to lift a simulated casualty during combat first aid training at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawud district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Afghan police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Thompson, a Texas Army National Guardsman with the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, explains stretcher carrying techniques to Afghan National policemen during combat first aid training at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawu... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Afghan police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member with the Afghan National Police observes medical training conducted by U.S. Army Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawud district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2013. During the past... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Afghan police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Afghan police patrolman Muhamad Ewaz assists his teammates with stretcher carrying during combat first aid training at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawud district, Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 13, 2013. During the past two months, 21 po... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Afghan police medic steps up training in Deh Rawud
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Sgt. Eric Thompson, a Texas Army National Guardsman with the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, displays the fireman's carry lift to an Afghan policeman during combat first aid training at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawud district,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DEH RAWUD, Afghanistan (Feb. 21, 2013) -- Afghan Police learned the basics of combat first aid from one of their own at Forward Operating Base Hadrian, Deh Rawud district, Uruzgan province, under watchful eyes of Texas Army National Guard Soldiers, Feb. 13, 2013.

During the past two months, 21 policemen in Deh Rawud district have been trained in 'Combat Life Saver' first aid by Soldiers of the U.S. Army 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, or 56th IBCT, Police Security Force Advisor Team and now one of the Afghan patrolmen has stepped up to train his fellow officers.

Patrolman Muhamad Ewaz learned a range of emergency trauma first aid skills from the Texans including control of hemorrhage, basic first aid response and casualty evacuation. He is now passing these life-saving skills to other police in the district.

The course, currently taught by Ewaz and U.S. Soldiers, runs over two days with three hours of practical instruction each day. It educates Afghan Uniform Police, or AUP, in the basics of controlling bleeding and first aid.

Sgt. Eric Thompson, 56th IBCT, said the courses started out with U.S. Soldiers in the lead and now Patrolman Ewaz has started to take charge.

"We've had several courses over the last couple of months, and he's started the process of taking over the training. That way he can conduct the training at the police district headquarters without coalition forces," said Sgt. Thompson.

Patrolman Ewaz has assumed the role of teacher with enthusiasm, taking the initiative to train other police without direction from the Texas Soldiers.

"He has actually trained an assistant medic and the police commanders, the executive officer and second in command, in these skills," said Sgt. Thompson.

Patrolman Ewaz said he was appreciative of Sgt. Thompson's help with the training.

"First he trained me on the basic training - trauma and bandages and this is the second team we are training (together). We trained another team last week," said Ewaz.

In the future Patrolman Ewaz will conduct training with police who are based at remote areas in Deh Rawud district.

"After this I will go to train the AUP out at the checkpoints. Basic training for the AUP will be how to put on a tourniquet, how to stop bleeding, how to [casualty evacuation] to headquarters or nearest clinic," said Ewaz.

"It is a very important training. It gives us a huge help because now our police know how to stop the bleeding, because the bleeding is the major thing that causes loss of life. This will help save a lot of lives," added Ewaz.

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