thedrifter
05-20-06, 07:06 AM
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.(May 18, 2006) -- Although everyone can’t be a corpsman, the corpsmen here are teaching Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment how to be the next best thing.
Nearly a dozen corpsmen, with the Iraq-bound unit, taught 50 Marines here tactical combat casualty care during the week-long combat lifesaving skills course.
“The course gives them the skills to act a first response while the corpsman is on the way to the scene,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Dean P. Webster, a combat corpsman with the battalion from Visalia.
The Marines were taught how to start the breathing; look for injuries and stop the bleeding on combat casualties.
“Since the Vietnam War, the number one cause of death has been exsanguinations (or bleeding to death),” said Webster who taught a portion of the class. “Teaching Marines these techniques, like controlling the bleeding, can help raise the casualty survival rate – up to 80 percent.”
Webster doesn’t only speak from statistics, he knows first hand.
In March 21, 2005, Webster was called to duty when a suicide vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device struck a U.S. Marines vehicle. Even though the SVBIED detonated only ten feet within the vehicle, it still rendered one Marine dead, one seriously injured and two wounded.
While Webster was on his way, one of the wounded Marines treated the seriously injured Marine with skills he learned in the CLS course.
When Webster arrived he realized the extent of the injury.
“Shrapnel from the SVBIED blast ripped open his left arm,” Webster said.
“If it weren’t for Lance Cpl. Lachinsky’s first response combined with corpsman aid, Pfc. Overton would have lost his arm.”
Both Lachinsky and Webster were later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device.
The award was an honor but Webster says he’s more concerned with instilling confidence in his Marines.
“The course gave me confidence,” said Cpl. Schnader M. Whyne, a 20-year-old motor transport operator with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from Palm Bay, Fla.
One Marine, approaching his first deployment, seconds Whyne.
“It’s good training, it shows you what to do if there’s a combat casualty in country,” said Pfc. Robert L. Zamora, a 22-year-old administrative clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from Warm Springs, Texas.
Webster was delighted with the class turnout and recommends this class to everyone.
“It gives you the basic skills on how to do the right thing, at the right time, to preserve a life,” Webster said.
To enroll in the CLS course contact your local Battalion Aid Station.
Ellie
Nearly a dozen corpsmen, with the Iraq-bound unit, taught 50 Marines here tactical combat casualty care during the week-long combat lifesaving skills course.
“The course gives them the skills to act a first response while the corpsman is on the way to the scene,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Dean P. Webster, a combat corpsman with the battalion from Visalia.
The Marines were taught how to start the breathing; look for injuries and stop the bleeding on combat casualties.
“Since the Vietnam War, the number one cause of death has been exsanguinations (or bleeding to death),” said Webster who taught a portion of the class. “Teaching Marines these techniques, like controlling the bleeding, can help raise the casualty survival rate – up to 80 percent.”
Webster doesn’t only speak from statistics, he knows first hand.
In March 21, 2005, Webster was called to duty when a suicide vehicle-borne, improvised explosive device struck a U.S. Marines vehicle. Even though the SVBIED detonated only ten feet within the vehicle, it still rendered one Marine dead, one seriously injured and two wounded.
While Webster was on his way, one of the wounded Marines treated the seriously injured Marine with skills he learned in the CLS course.
When Webster arrived he realized the extent of the injury.
“Shrapnel from the SVBIED blast ripped open his left arm,” Webster said.
“If it weren’t for Lance Cpl. Lachinsky’s first response combined with corpsman aid, Pfc. Overton would have lost his arm.”
Both Lachinsky and Webster were later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device.
The award was an honor but Webster says he’s more concerned with instilling confidence in his Marines.
“The course gave me confidence,” said Cpl. Schnader M. Whyne, a 20-year-old motor transport operator with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from Palm Bay, Fla.
One Marine, approaching his first deployment, seconds Whyne.
“It’s good training, it shows you what to do if there’s a combat casualty in country,” said Pfc. Robert L. Zamora, a 22-year-old administrative clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment from Warm Springs, Texas.
Webster was delighted with the class turnout and recommends this class to everyone.
“It gives you the basic skills on how to do the right thing, at the right time, to preserve a life,” Webster said.
To enroll in the CLS course contact your local Battalion Aid Station.
Ellie