Blackhorse medics provide life-saving training

FORT IRWIN, Calif.- The sound of bullets flying through the air danced around them while the echoing booms of explosions rocked the ground they stood upon. Two Soldiers saw a comrade on the ground unconscious, their next actions could determine whether he lives or dies.

This scenario was played out during Combat Life Saver Course training at Fritz Field on Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 5. The training was provided by medics from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment's Regimental Aid Station.

"Today, we're conducting an STX (situational training exercise) lane for our CLS training," said Spc. Kathleen Jones, Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. "This is the validation; this is where the Soldiers put all the pieces together on what it is like to actually save somebody's life out there on the battlefield."

Jones, a medic at the Regimental Aid Station, said the training is valuable because it saves lives. The Soldiers used the lessons they learned in the classroom environment and applied them to training mannequins.

"Monday and Tuesday were spent in the classroom," Jones, a native of Austin, Mont., said. "Yesterday they practiced the individual hands-on skills. And today, we're evaluating their overall performance.

To simulate a combat casualty, Jones and other medics squirted fake blood on training mannequins. The sounds of bullets and explosions emanated from speakers. The instructors yelled out commands for the students and voice-acted as real casualties would. The students battled midday heat, stress and eventually fatigue.

"There's no giving up," said Pfc. Anthony Green, 719th Transportation Company, New York National Guard. "This is hard stuff, but no matter what, don't stop."

Some of the lessons learned covered in the four-day class included basic First Aid, needle chest decompression, field dressing and tourniquets. During the training, all the lessons learned were applied while in the middle of simulated combat zone.

"The major things we want them to know are TC3, tactical combat casualty care. That's basically where we're Soldiers first," Jones said. "We always fire back and at that point you move out to your casualty."

Jones added that the CLS training were not only valuable for Soldiers, but the lessons learned can be applied outside of the military.

"It is important because you can put all the skills that they are learning here into their everyday life," Jones said. "Also it's a matter of keeping their skills up; everything is constantly changing in the medical field so it's important for them to stay with the current medical training."

Green, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., said he not only learned valuable skills, but he also learned a little more about himself.

"I learned that I can do the job if I need to," Green said. "I can save a life."