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EMEDS teach Iraqis first aid

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mindy Bloem
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq --  Members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron taught Iraqi air force pilots and aircraft maintainers from Squadrons 1 and 2 basic lifesaving procedures in an Iraq Training and Advisory Mission classroom at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Feb. 27, 2010.

The Basic Trauma Life Support class focused on basic life support, including blood loss management with dressings and tourniquets, and the identification, management and prevention of ear and sinus block.

The Army has been teaching these types of classes to the Iraqis here for many years, but the Air Force, recognizing the need to support their Army counterparts has teamed up with them to train the Iraqis in basic medical skills.

"It's been an ongoing process," said Capt. Raymond Gilbert, 506th EMEDS Intensive Care Unit nurse, deployed from Eglin AFB, Fla. "Our predecessors started this. Their predecessors before them were teaching some classes, and we're just carrying on the tradition. We wanted to give back to the Iraqis, make them more independent and, hopefully, they'll be able to take up some slack and help initiate the saving of lives."

The classes are being conducted all over the base for any Iraqi personnel interested in learning first aid.

"The Iraqis have had issues in the past where personnel have gone down, and the outcome wasn't good because no first aid was initiated at the beginning," Captain Gilbert said. "This class is for their support. They have to learn to take care of their comrades before they get them to us. That way their likelihood of living is increased."

One of the Iraqi students attending the class, Mohammed Namr, an aircraft maintainer, is grateful for the opportunity.

"I really like the class because I learn a lot from it, and in the future I can save somebody's life and maybe my own," he said through an interpreter during a class break. "My favorite part was the breathing (CPR). I could really save someone's life with this knowledge, and at any time I can help people or teach other people to do the same thing I learned today."

Not only do the students gain from what's being taught, but the instructors do as well.

"It's probably one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done," Captain Gilbert said. "I am actually playing a part in nation building."

Captain Gilbert is familiar with teaching these types of skills and even teaches self aid and buddy care classes at his home station. However, he admits it's a slightly different environment here.

"It's not too difficult to teach," he said. "Hand gestures get you a long way, and we have some of the best interpreters. Having an interpreter helps because the situation gets explained in a little more in detail so they can retain it."

He said the Iraqis seem to be picking it up with little to no problems, and they must demonstrate in class what they've learned.

"The Iraqis are very appreciative," he said. "I feel like they get something out of this, but our true test will be when an emergency comes up, and they come through successfully. It will be a happy day for everybody."