A few weeks ago I attended a Combat Lifesaver class for my Guard Unit. Combat Lifesaver (CLS) is like the First Responder of the US Army. Taught to do initial patient assessments, stop major bleeding and restart breathing, the CLS s the first first link in the chain if survival for Soldiers wounded on the battlefield.
Unlike civilian First Responders, Combat Lifesavers are taught how to start IVs. This skill is essential to replace blood lost on the battlefield. Hemmorage (bleeding out) is the highest (perentage wise) killer of troops in the field.
As part of the CLS class, students must succeslly start IVs on each other. I learned how to do this in Paramedic school years ago. I was taught to start an IV in the back of a moving ambulance without getting a drop of blood on the floor of the truck. CLS students on the other hand are taught to let it bleed once you get the needle in. Blood running out of the needle is a sure sign, even in the dark, that you stuck the needle far enough into the vein can attach the IV bag to it and successfully administer lifesaving fluids.
This video shows one of my soldiers (and fellow Spur Holders) successfully startin an IV on me, and squirting MY BLOOD all over the place. At lest I was smiling.
C/M,
Micah
