Combat Lifesaver Training
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rationtin440
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Combat Lifesaver Training
Just curious if anyone in forums from outside USA knows if their country's army has a special program for training non-medical personnel in medical care beyond basic first aid. In America we had a program in 1980s and 90s called "Combat Lifesaver Training" which consisted of taking "volunteers" no matter what their job (MOS) was in the Army, and training them to start IVs and entubation and other medical techniques for casualties in order to assist the medics (medics being assigned to units depending on what kind of unit, at a ratio of one medic per platoon usually). These combat lifesavers had training above and beyond the buddy aid that they learned in boot camp, and were normally issued a smaller version of a medic's aid-bag, as well as extra colored smoke grenades to mark a medivac landing site. Not sure if the combat lifesaver program even still exists here as alot has changed since I got out of the service but in desert storm they were a God-send.
Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
We edjucate the German Army "Bundeswehr" paramedics and EMTs on our civil Red Cross EMS station.
After one year at paramedic school, they need to go the second year on a real EMT station responding to real emergencies as trainees with us to become an Army medic.
As German soldiers don´t see realy combat in Afghanistan - our politicians deny we are in combat there - it´s just a "humatary aid mission" where our soldiers get killed from Taleban (today another 4), we don´t have them.
Ours get their basic first aid training. Some get some more medical training as they become an "assistent to medics". But they become more trained in carry stretchers, evacuating wounded casulties under fire etc. As our medics usually respond together with an ER doctor even in the fields in combat, the medic IS the assistent of the Doc at the scene, means we medics do all preparation to IVs, intubation, medication, thorax drain, anesthesia etc. and either the Doc do the treatment by himself or delegate it to the medic.
But that´s the way as our German civilian EMS is working for the last 40 years since we inteted the ER doctors responding with the medics to the scene, not just the medics alone.
See some more at topic >German EMS<
After one year at paramedic school, they need to go the second year on a real EMT station responding to real emergencies as trainees with us to become an Army medic.
As German soldiers don´t see realy combat in Afghanistan - our politicians deny we are in combat there - it´s just a "humatary aid mission" where our soldiers get killed from Taleban (today another 4), we don´t have them.
Ours get their basic first aid training. Some get some more medical training as they become an "assistent to medics". But they become more trained in carry stretchers, evacuating wounded casulties under fire etc. As our medics usually respond together with an ER doctor even in the fields in combat, the medic IS the assistent of the Doc at the scene, means we medics do all preparation to IVs, intubation, medication, thorax drain, anesthesia etc. and either the Doc do the treatment by himself or delegate it to the medic.
But that´s the way as our German civilian EMS is working for the last 40 years since we inteted the ER doctors responding with the medics to the scene, not just the medics alone.
See some more at topic >German EMS<
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rationtin440
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Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
Thanks for reply housil! Just curious are your army medics armed with pistols or rifles?
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Cracker
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Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
Most military "medical units" (except ambulances) are simply combattants and carry normal armament (light armament, side arm and rifle).
Atleast in the Netherlands..
The CLS training is part of a NATO program I think. It's called the same around here, with the same "contents".
Same goes for Belgium, and Germany has something like it, but I don't recall the name. They tend to keep names German instead of english.
Atleast in the Netherlands..
The CLS training is part of a NATO program I think. It's called the same around here, with the same "contents".
Same goes for Belgium, and Germany has something like it, but I don't recall the name. They tend to keep names German instead of english.
Sure, someone may one day kill me with my own gun.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
Not positive but I believe the army stopped the combat lifesaver program (think I read that in army times) and I have noticed that the combat lifesaver med bags are being sold..
Please keep in mind I am not sure about it being stopped or curtailed I just remeber reading something about it and have seen the kits being sold surplus..
also I keep 2 of the combat lifesaver bags at home for first aid kits
Please keep in mind I am not sure about it being stopped or curtailed I just remeber reading something about it and have seen the kits being sold surplus..
also I keep 2 of the combat lifesaver bags at home for first aid kits
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Cracker
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Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
I really doubt that, a CLS is a valuable addition to standard first aid and medics.
It might be expensive (what is expensive?), but you can't have to many of them.
The training might cost you some hundreds of dollars, or maybe a bit more..
But if someone gets killed, it costs a lot more. And it is a boost to the morale up to a certain level..
Those med kids have experation dates, they might sell "old sets".
The Dutch ones are "single use" kits, and are not made to be refilled.. (after helping a single casualty, the set is just about empty). The CLS gets a new one, and the other items are used as spare items or go to the first aid post.
It might be expensive (what is expensive?), but you can't have to many of them.
The training might cost you some hundreds of dollars, or maybe a bit more..
But if someone gets killed, it costs a lot more. And it is a boost to the morale up to a certain level..
Those med kids have experation dates, they might sell "old sets".
The Dutch ones are "single use" kits, and are not made to be refilled.. (after helping a single casualty, the set is just about empty). The CLS gets a new one, and the other items are used as spare items or go to the first aid post.
Sure, someone may one day kill me with my own gun.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
I think your right cracker, upon further reflection I think I got the order to quit using the quick clotting agents in theater and the combat lifesaver program getting updated training mixed up.. My wife is an army doc in Iraq, when I talk to her next I will clarify..
the army combat lifesaver bag is ment to be replenished at aid stations, combat support hospitals, and through unit supply.. Looking through my bags the only component that I would worry about with exp. dates is the IV fluids.. Also the new IFAC kits when turned in (leaving unit) only the outside pouch is to be turned in, inside components are all expendable including the sleeve (carrier)
the army combat lifesaver bag is ment to be replenished at aid stations, combat support hospitals, and through unit supply.. Looking through my bags the only component that I would worry about with exp. dates is the IV fluids.. Also the new IFAC kits when turned in (leaving unit) only the outside pouch is to be turned in, inside components are all expendable including the sleeve (carrier)
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Cracker
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Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
All sterile products have an expire date, and yes, there is a 99,999999% chance they will be sterile years after that date..
But by law your simply forbidden to use expired items.
Expired bandage, dressings, needles etc are still perfectly fine for first aid at home. As long as the packaging material is clean and undamaged. Needles can be used for popping blisters (only do that if you know what your doing), and you can use the dressings to cover/protect wounds.. or use it as a wet bandage with bad insect bites etc..
But by law your simply forbidden to use expired items.
Expired bandage, dressings, needles etc are still perfectly fine for first aid at home. As long as the packaging material is clean and undamaged. Needles can be used for popping blisters (only do that if you know what your doing), and you can use the dressings to cover/protect wounds.. or use it as a wet bandage with bad insect bites etc..
Sure, someone may one day kill me with my own gun.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
But they'll have to beat me to death with it because it's empty.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
"All sterile products have an expire date" and "But by law your simply forbidden to use expired items." not saying there is not a law just never heard of it here and never heard of anyone prosecuted for out of date bandages..Cracker wrote:All sterile products have an expire date, and yes, there is a 99,999999% chance they will be sterile years after that date..
But by law your simply forbidden to use expired items.
Expired bandage, dressings, needles etc are still perfectly fine for first aid at home. As long as the packaging material is clean and undamaged. Needles can be used for popping blisters (only do that if you know what your doing), and you can use the dressings to cover/protect wounds.. or use it as a wet bandage with bad insect bites etc..
went through my kits and the only thing I can find an exp. date is IV fluids and cath needles..Bandages say "sterility is not guaranteed if inner wrapper is damaged or opened"
Things I added to my kits do have exp dates, (Hem Con Bandages,Dermabond,Xylocaine, suture kit and atibiotics)
Re: Combat Lifesaver Training
Just for info purposes, I went through a new US Army IFAC kit and airway and Hemorrage Control Bandage have EXP. Dates not sure why the airway has exp date a except it is of different construction as the one in CLS Kit..(IFAC has soft rubber airway and CLS has hard plastic airway).Also if someone knows, The Israel made Hemorrage Control Bandage, does it have some sort of clotting agent on it that makes it expire or is this just do to the closure bar??