Lab readies corpsmen for combat

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An untethered mannequin is used at the Field Medical Training Battalion Combat Casualty Simulation Lab at Camp Johnson aboard Camp Lejeune on March 14.


Lab readies corpsmen for combat
By Trista Talton - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Mar 29, 2008 7:39:37 EDT

CAMP JOHNSON, N.C. — The reality for Navy corpsmen in the field is often treating unimaginable combat injuries.

“When I saw my first double amputee I was like ‘wow,’ ” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Shannon Book. “The shock never goes away.”

But instructors such as Book, assigned to Field Medical Training Battalion-East at Camp Johnson, say that ultra-realistic training will better prepare future corpsmen for what lies ahead. To that end, the battalion officially opened its Combat Casualty Simulation Laboratory here March 14.

For corpsmen, this training is their Crucible, the culmination of eight weeks with the battalion. The concept for the lab is to toss students into a stressful and chaotic environment, filled with the uncertainty of combat, as they work to treat the injured.

Blasts rattle their heads and the sound of gunfire pierces their ears as the students work on $65,000 lifelike mannequins that moan and wheeze to simulate distressed breathing, bleed, blink, secrete fluids, sweat and respond to treatment.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/03/marine_combatsims_032808w/