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Long Knives teach White Sharks basic medical skills
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
Staff Sergeant Junior St. Hilaire supervises the intravenous infusion by a Romanian Army Combat Life Saver graduate at CPB Adder. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Erika Stump)
COB ADDER, Iraq – The Long Knife Brigade recently completed a basic combat medical class with the Romanian Army’s White Shark Battalion stationed at Contingency Operating Bost Adder.
The course normally supplements the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division’s combat medics with non-medical Soldiers trained in completing basic-level medical care in emergencies.
Staff Sergeant Junior St. Hilaire and Sgt. John Schmidt taught the week-long Combat Life Saver class to soldiers from Romania’s 341st Infantry Battalion.
“The Romanian soldiers were very motivated and eager to learn,” said Schmidt, from St. Louis, Mo., and assigned to Co. C., 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. “They were very appreciative of the training.”
The Romanians mainly appreciated how the Long Knife medics shared their extensive experience and knowledge during the classes.
“This is the first time we have done this type of training,” said Cpl. Papadie Cristian, a Romanian soldier. “I think it will make us better.”
One of the common goals for cross-coalition training is for the Long Knife Brigade’s partners to take the knowledge back to their fellow soldiers. In this case, the Romanians learned how to: open a casualty’s airway, treat penetrating chest trauma, control bleeding, initiate a field medical card and request a medical evacuation.
Toward the end of the course, the Long Knife and Romanian medics paired up to initiated a saline lock and intravenous infusion, which is a common treatment for hypovolemic shock or low blood volume.
“I learned a lot of new skills and would like to return for further training,” said Cpl. Margarit Claudium, of the 341st Romanian Army.
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