Combat casualty course provides life-saving training

Published Sept. 9, 2015
By Senior Airman Amber Sorsek
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --

Airmen with the 302nd Airlift Wing and 21st Space Wing here participated in Tactical Combat Casualty Care training in August.

Tech. Sgt. Bradley Belcher, 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron led the course. He is certified in combat casualty care through the National Association for Emergency Medical Technicians.

The TCCC course introduces evidence-based, life-saving techniques and strategies for providing the best trauma care on the battlefield. According to the Military Health System, TCCC established a critical partnership with the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research in 2004. The ongoing research focusing on battlefield first responder care established USAISR as the Department of Defense leader in developing and evaluating battle field trauma care technology and management strategies.

TCCC has three primary goals: treat the casualty, prevent additional casualties and complete the mission. To accomplish these three goals the instructor begins training with a presentation informing members of care under fire, tactical field care and tactical evacuation care.

"There are approximately 400 slides for the course which cover about 70 percent of the information" said Belcher. "We also issue each member the text book with assigned reading material for the areas not covered in the slides."

Following the presentation were a series of live scenarios performed by the student with an instructor.

"For hands on training there are about a dozen skill stations which students train on and get assessed as part of their final grade," said Belcher. "We practice advanced medical procedures to include needle decompression, surgically creating an airway, interosseous airway, IV therapy and pain medication administration," he continued.

Scenario-based planning is critical for success in TCCC, according to MHS, because care must be modified on the battlefield to best fit the tactical situation. It trains the students (Airmen) to make quick decisions and practice the skills learned during the presentation.

"Most people are only used to doing computer based training prior to deployments, said Staff Sgt. Daniel Brewer, 21st Security Forces Squadron. "This training is very hands on so it allows you to get the most realistic training possible while incorporating basic team moving tactics."

"I really liked the TCCC course because it included not only the EMT training but also included SFS team tactics with medical skills," said Maj. Brian Young, 302nd Security Forces Squadron commander.

This course is currently not mandatory for Airmen, but highly recommended according to Belcher.

"I love teaching this class," said Belcher. "Its success rate in the field can't be over stated. This is the type of training that truly saves the lives of our brothers and sisters overseas. I personally feel all medical and deploying personnel should be required to attend this training."

Young has high hopes for the future of TCCC at Peterson AFB as well.

"I cannot be more excited to be able to get my SFS members this critical skill training here at our home base," said Young. "I hope this course will grow and enable other Airman the chance to attend."

USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)