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First Team Medics Train Iraqi Police

By Pfc. Ben Fox

The combat lifesaver course is a common course for Soldiers to take.

, a Phoenix native with Medical Company C, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, teaches Iraqi Policemen how to properly apply a bandage during a combat lifesaver course in Baqubah, Iraq, Nov. 28. (U.S. Army photo b Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

It is taught by combat medics and covers a wide array of simple, yet effective, techniques Soldiers can use to keep wounded warriors alive until further help arrives.

This same course was taught to Iraqi Police in Baqubah, Iraq, Nov. 28 and 30 by combat medics from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

"I've done CLS classes before, but this is a whole different ballgame," said Spc. Courtney Morris, Medical Company C, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, one of the medics who taught the class.

During a combat lifesaver course for Iraqi Police, Spc. Courtney Morris, a Phoenix native with Medical Company C, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, teaches Iraqi Policemen how to properly apply a bandage in Baqubah, Iraq, Nov. 28. (U.S. Army photo b Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Back at Morris' home station, Fort Hood, Texas, she said teaching the class was easy since her students understood the language she was speaking and could relate to her culturally.

Here, Morris, a native of Phoenix, admitted the language and cultural barriers were hard to get past and prevented them from teaching the same way they do in garrison.

"Here we have to get a feel for each group," she said. "We have to adapt as we go."

To get through the barrier, Sgt. Darrell Crews, another medic who taught the class, said he used visual aids and spoke through an interpreter.

"As long as they are willing to listen and understand, I am more than happy to be patient and work with them," said Crews, a native of St. Peters, Mo., adding that the group of IPs was attentive and quick to learn.

The medics taught the IP members several procedures such as how to treat head wounds, abdominal wounds, insert intravenous fluids, stop bleeding and clear airways.

Due to time constraints, the class had to be skimmed down to the bare basics, said Crews, but even with these basic skills, they will have greater ability to support themselves.

Sgt. , Medical Company C, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and a St. Peters, Mo., native, demonstrates how to properly place a head bandage to Iraqi Policemen during a combat lifesaver course in Baqubah, Iraq, Nov. 28. (U.S. Army photo b Pfc. Ben Fox, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)

Crews and Morris often treat IPs at their aid station on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, said Crews, adding that many of them would be in better condition if they were treated with the basics skills they learned in the course before they came to the aid station.

Learning these techniques will help save more lives of the IPs who are often hit hard in Iraq, said Crews.

As combat medics, Morris said teaching the IPs these techniques is the most important mission they have.

"You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, or you can teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime," Morris said, referring to the old saying.

Morris said teaching the Iraqi Police these skills is essential to helping them become self-sustaining.

"We want them to be able to take care of themselves when we aren't around," she said.

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