Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/840553
course for war correspondents. The main instructor was Robert Jędrych who was more focused on the aspects of first aid in accordance with instructions of the TCCC Committee. He was supported by an experienced combat medic who shared his knowledge acquired during foreign deployments. On the first day, the students learned about the theory, procedures, medical equipment of various types, and self-aid, so mainly about the correct application of a tourniquet on a wounded limbs. It is a generally known fact that on the battlefield, where most people wear protective vests and helmets, the significant number of injuries results from being shot in the hand or leg. Such a shot may result in massive bleeding that must be immediately stopped or the victim will die of losing too much blood. When will the student know that the stasis has been applied correctly? It will hurt. A lot. Day two is a quick revision of the theory and a switch to practice. That day was a busy one – practicing on dummies, various practical scenarios, working in teams and, the most important part, the final test with the use of an impressive number of all sorts of artificial wounds. Here, we should bow our heads to the specialist who prepared the "make-up" - all the wounds and injuries looked real. During its training, EMS aims at a high level of realism and that is true that a low-quality simulation, where the instructor points out the wounds ("here, he's been shot in the lungs") will not be as productive as simulations during which the trainee finds the wounds by himself or herself. The number and location of the wounds was known only to the instructor and the pretender – the trainee had to conduct the whole procedure and thoroughly inspect the body of the injured person, constantly controlling his or her health condition. There were also "casualties" - some of the accidents resulted from mistakes made by the rescuers, while some were related to a more ordinary reason - in some cases, it would be impossible to help people under field conditions due to the complexity of their injuries. In such situations, the students checked whether all the procedures were conducted from the beginning to the end in a correct manner, which was a confirmation that the rescuers did all they could to save the life of the victim. Students participated in that part twice. During the first one, the instructors applied preferential treatment. However, during the second attempt, the trainees were left all by themselves, with the knowledge they acquired during the course. At the end of the course, the students were granted certificates as a confirmation of participation and skills – it must be mentioned here, however, that not everyone on the EMS course is granted such certificates. If student does not comprehend the required minimum, the instructors will not give him or her a passing grade, even though the training is rather expensive. One must remember that the learned skills will not only be useful in a critical situation in some distant country – cold blood, practical knowledge, and being familiar with procedures might be helpful at a shooting range, during a car accident, or after a terrorist attack... I have participated in many basic tactical medicine courses and I must admit that the course conducted by EMS has impressed me the most due to the presented knowledge and used means of simulation – everything was organized by guys with great knowledge and experience and I must be honest: artificial wounds and injuries significantly increase the realism of such training. I recommended that course to anyone. Such knowledge might come in handy and, then, will be priceless.