Guardsmen Learning Lifesaving Skills

Saturday, May 26th 2007, 9:30 pm

By: News On 6

As the country remembers the sacrifice of Americaâ€™s servicemen and women, this month is shaping up to be one of the deadliest ever in Iraq. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage reports on how the latest Oklahomans headed to Iraq may make sure troops survive the worst attacks.

Violence in Iraq doesn't take a holiday weekend. Seven Soldiers and a Marine were killed Saturday reinforcing the danger, and need of the best medical attention. By month's end, May could become the deadliest month on record. Oklahoma National Guardsmen want to buck that trend. The OU Medical Center showed us how they're training, by taking on real patients in the trauma unit.

"This is an excellent opportunity for them to get hands-on assessment skills, training skills, et cetera. Not only just in training, but just in doing an assessment. Coming in here and listening to breathing sounds, getting vital signs, doing very basic medic skills that are absolutely vital," said Staff Sergeant Mike Schatz of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

The medics have been mobilized for overseas duty, and while a hospital ward seems much calmer than the battlefield, medics say the training is the same.

"A lot of our guys don't see this stuff on a day-to-day basis, so just the opportunity to see some trauma will help, and help develop the questions that you ask when you are trying to find out exactly what's going on with a patient," Staff Sergeant James Ticer of the Oklahoma Army National Guard said.

They'll train for a week of combat casualty care to better protect the soldiers they serve beside. While Oklahoma medics are training at OU, the Army is making sure all soldiers are better trained to treat battlefield injuries. Soldiers at Fort Sill have already started the training. Officials say having someone nearby who can treat wounds from bullets or IED's immediately may mean the difference between life and death. The Army had only been training most soldiers on basic first aid techniques.

Watch the video: National Guardsmen Learning Lifesaving Techniques At OU