Pocono News Section

Combat Medical Training for Soldiers

Combat Medical Training for Soldiers - Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 7:50PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopoka
Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 @07:50pm EST
It was a day for learning in Luzerne County, learning how to respond when the seconds stack against you.
Two dozen local soldiers got a handle on basic life saving skills.
First thing I m going to do is apply the tourniquet.
These men and women are training to save lives in the field
They re non medical soldiers learning combat lifesaver skills.

Staff Sgt. Mike Gifford - "We deploy quite a bit. This is a skill when you're overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan to save someone's life or difference of someone dying if you don't know the skills."
They are here this weekend - learning how to open and clear airways -- treat chest wounds and apply an IV.

Sgt. Jeff Kwiecien - "Once you place the tourniquet you have two minutes to start your I-V before lack of circulation cause issues.))"
Sgt. Cara Burks knows it's important to have these skills in the field...
"The unit I was in we had three combat lifesavers and that s it."

Lead instructor Sgt. Jeff Kwiecien says education is key, "There's not always enough medics to meet the demand. The other problem is what if the medic is the person injured and you have to teach others how to help the soldiers."
The soldiers will be tested and certified at the end of this two and a half day training session.
Officials at the 109th field artillery say the soldiers go through this training as a requirement, annually.