Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego --
Two training dummies laid in front of Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, during a combat care class at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 19.
The dummies each had different simulated injuries that are commonly encountered in combat zones. Sgt. Nicholas Desimone, academic instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion, selected two recruits to asses and treat the simulated injuries . While they were working, Desimone described what they were doing right correctly and why each step is important.
Recruits were allowed to ask questions throughout the class and then were broken down into groups and given various injury scenarios to treat. Injuries covered in the class included a chemical burn, sucking chest wound, open and closed fractures and how to apply a tourniquet.
Company I recruits helped each other during their practice by chiming in with advice when a recruit couldn’t identify what type of treatment an injury required. The exercise promoted teamwork, hands on experience and helped the recruits review the class material. Recruits will be tested during week 10 of training on their combat care knowledge.
During the test, they will be required to assess and treat a casualty with an unknown injury. Not passing the test could mean falling back in training.
However, with the amount of time given to review combat care during recruit training a majority of the recruits are not worried.
Although Recruit Devin S. McCord, Platoon 3213, said he knew nothing of combat care prior to recruit training, he explained he is confident he can learn everything needed to save a life.
“The instructors are giving us an environment optimal for learning,” said McCord. “And I’m going to dedicate myself to my training.”
For some recruits, a satifaction came with knowing they were learning skills that could poetentialy one day allow them to save a fellow Marine’s life.
“It makes you feel good knowing that you can take care of a fallen brother in a time of chaos,” said Recruit Ty M. Jensen, Platoon 3213. “I’m extremely motivated to learn this knowing it can put me in a position to save someone. That motivates me to learn 100 percent of everything in this class.”
Combat care is taught on training day seven, giving recruits 12 weeks to review and turn life saving skills to muscle memory.
No matter what level of first aid knowledge recruits have when they come to training, all recruits begin with the same class, are given the same amount of help and are given the same final exam.
Although combat care doesn’t cover every possible injury that can occur in a combat zone, it does cover the most common life threatening injuries. With this combat care experience, recruits will have a basic knowledge to assist their fellow Marines once they graduate from recruit training.