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72nd F.A. Bde. Soldiers dive into CLS course

Sgt. Desmond Lanyo, 35, Cambridge, Mass. a combat lifesaver course student, performs a needle decompression for a tension pneumothorax (sucking chest wound) Jan. 24, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause of preventable battlefield death. The three-day course was designed to teach any Soldiers the basic medical skills needed to save lives in combat, when a Combat Medic isn't present. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kelvin Scott/Released)

72nd F.A. Bde. Soldiers dive into CLS course

Combat Lifesaver Course student, Sgt. Timothy M. Walsh, 28, Springfield, Mass., treating a tension pneumothorax (sucking chest wound), the second leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield Jan. 24, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The three-day course was designed to teach any Soldiers the basic medical skills needed to save lives in combat, when a Combat Medic isn't present. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kelvin Scott/Released)

72nd F.A. Bde. Soldiers dive into CLS course

Staff Sgt. Timothy M Bush, 39, from Tabernacle, N.J., instructor for the 1-314th Infantry Battalion, 174th Brigade Combat Life Saver course, explains to students what the class is about during a CLS course Jan. 24, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., recently. The three-day course is designed to teach any Soldier the basic medical skills needed to save lives in combat, when a combat medic isn't present. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kelvin Scott/Released)

72nd F.A. Bde. Soldiers dive into CLS course

72nd Field Artillery Brigade graduates of the Combat Life Saver course Sgt. 1st Class, Kevin I. McKeithan, 2-315th Field Artillery Battalion; Sgt. 1st Class, Jesse E. Mosley, 2-315th Field Artillery Battalion; Sgt. Timothy M. Bush, 3-313th Logistics Support Battalion, and Sgt. Desmond Lanyo, 3-313th Logistics Support Battalion, pose for a class photo Jan. 24, 2014, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The three-day course was designed to teach any Soldiers the basic medical skills needed to save lives in combat, when a Combat Medic isn't present. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Kelvin Scott/Released)

72nd F.A. Bde. Soldiers dive into CLS course

Published Feb. 11, 2014
By Capt. Kelvin Scott
72nd Field Artillery Brigade Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Four 72nd Field Artillery Brigade Soldiers were among the 26 Soldiers who recently certified here as combat lifesavers after successfully completing a three-day combat lifesaver course taught by the 1-314th Infantry Battalion, 174th Infantry Brigade.

"Soldiers receive this type of training upon entering the military. Our goal is to refresh and build upon that knowledge in order to save lives," said Combat Lifesaver Course senior instructor, Sgt. 1st Class, Roger A. Trotman, 1-314th Battalion, 174th Inf. Bde."

Combat lifesavers are a bridge between the self-aid/buddy-aid (first aid) training given to all Soldiers during basic training and the medical training given to combat medics, said Trotman.

The three-day class provided students with the hands-on fundamentals needed to care for patients in combat situations.

"This class taught us skills like tactical combat casualty care, care under fire and how to request for (a) medical evacuation. All of these are needed to provide immediate care to Soldiers," explained Sgt. Desmond C. Lanyo, 3-313th Logistics Support Battalion, 72nd F.A. Bde.

CLS training consists of lectures, an exam, hands-on learning and application. While the students perform the hands-on portion on mannequins, they understand the importance of the skills gained

"While I've never had to put my combat lifesaver skills to use, several of my friends have. All of them told me that this course was well worth it." said Sgt. 1st Class Kevin McKeithan, 2-315th F.A. Btn., 72nd F.A. Bde. "The training we received was well developed, well organized and has immeasurable benefits"

Upon completion of the course, Soldiers are capable of performing basic combat trauma, as well as provide basic information to medical personnel to assess the wounded.

"Having deployed twice, I have counted on my combat lifesavers numerous times. We (medics) aren't able to be everywhere at once, and the knowledge gained as a combat lifesaver can save a life," said Trotman.

Soldiers are aware of how important it was for them to look, listen and learn the combat lifesaver skills. Sgt. 1st Class, Jesse Mosley, a CLS student from the 2-315th F.A Btn. said, "90 percent of deaths occur before reaching a medical facility. That number could potentially be lowered by 15 percent simply by becoming a certified as combat lifesaver."