Medics provide hands-on training for Junior ROTC

Published Sept. 28, 2010
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group/ Public Affiars

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Medics from the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Flight Medicine Flight visited Ocean Springs High School Sept. 9 to provide training to the school's Army Junior ROTC cadets.

Led by flight commander Maj. Paul Langevin, Master Sgt. Joel Shepherd and Senior Airmen Lakedrian Guy and Steven Payne spent almost two hours offering hands-on basic first-aid and buddy-care training to almost 70 of the school's 130 cadets. The cadets were members of the "Delta Team" adventure training unit.

Senior Army instructor retired Army Col. Steven Farragut explained they handle "tactical, outdoor and vigorous training and participate in activities such as camping, rappelling, first aid, canoeing and land navigation."

According to Major Langevin, the course consisted of an overview of scene and battlefield response to an injured soldier and stabilization of airway, cervical spine, breathing, circulation, hemorrhage control and litter carries.

"We provided all necessary equipment and supplies to support the training event." He added, "We offered each cadet hands-on demonstrations and had the cadets repeat the demonstration by accomplishing each task."

The Keesler medics conducted four situational training exercise to groups of cadets who rotated through each. They included airway stabilization and cervical spine immobilization; breathing and use of the Ambu-bag (an artificial breathing device); circulation and hemorrhage control and tourniquet application; and litter carries and movement of a casualty.

The cadets were divided into four separate platoons in teams of five to cover training area. One member of each group of five was identified as the team leader and one member as the patient.

"Once training was completed, we 'put it all together' and had the cadets recover a 'simulated casualty,' utilizing all skills they learned in the training," the major explained.

Commenting on the program, Major Langevin observed the students listened intently and were eager to put what they had been taught into practice. "It was nice to be to get out here with the cadets to train them on basic combat casualty care." One of the senior cadets commented on the realistic nature of the training and wished they could more opportunities like these to train. "It was nice to see how focused the cadets were to mastering the skills in such a short period of time."

Colonel Farragut said, "The training was exceptional. The cadets were able to interact with positive role models, learn the latest first aid techniques and build teamwork. We have found that hands-on teaching is the best way to learn and retain information. This was hands-on training at its best."

Retired Army Master Sgt. Ricky Lyle, the unit's other instructor, added, "The training was interesting and educational as well as fun and enjoyable for the kids. Not only were they provided with valuable hands-on training, but an opportunity to develop teamwork. Knowing first aid is a valuable skill to have. One never knows when it might come in handy. This is one of the main reasons for including it in today's JROTC curriculum."