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U.S. mission highlights critical lifesaving skills in Ethiopia

  • Published
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  The Defense Institute for Medical Operations deployed a team of experts with a variety of critical care medical backgrounds to teach a Critical Life Saving Course for First Responders in Ethiopia this summer.

DIMO, a dual service agency composed of Air Force and Navy service members, provides health care education and training to partners around the world. Team members included Lt.Col. (Dr.) Anthony Mitchell, C-STARS Baltimore, Md.; Lt. Col. (Dr.) Sirikanya Sastri, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Maj. Courtney Finkbeiner, a registered nurse from Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; 1st. Lt. Warren Carter, registered nurse, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Chief Master Sgt. Adam Marks, Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and Tech. Sgt. Phillip Hines, Wright-Patterson AFB.

Students attending the course consisted of surgeons, public health officers and registered nurses. Ninety percent of the class were officers in the Ethiopian military, the remaining were educators at respected nursing schools. Students came from different regional commands of Ethiopia with a mission to learn from the DIMO team and to train their respective commands after returning to their bases.

The course teaches basic first responder applications, and challenges students with a practical exam focused on handling massive casualties.

The first day of training consisted of lectures and skills stations.

"Day one laid a foundation to the critical care course with the basics of Airway, Breathing, and Circulation better known as the ABCs," said Carter, 59th Emergency Medical Squadron.

"The students enjoyed the skills stations more than the lectures," he said.

"On day two of training, the students began to come out of their comfort zone and started sharing medical practices in their respective hospitals and commands," said Carter. "Skill stations were completed that built on the basics of ABCs and first responder life saving skills to include advanced airway devices, tourniquet use, and chest needle decompression."

The third day of training focused on more class interaction, which included a question and answer sessions with DIMO cadre.

"This (the sessions) are always a great sign. The class is getting the material and students begin to critically evaluate the information taught to them," he said.

Mass casualty preparation, the importance of leadership, and role responsibilities were vital to training as well. The class was divided into two groups and instructed to create a team to plan for mass casualty, or MASCAL, simulations. DIMO cadre assisted with the team building exercise and simulated a few MASCAL scenarios to each group.

"This was in preparation for the next day's mock MASCAL where each team got to apply what they had learned throughout the week-long course," said Carter.

One team of students managed mass casualty medical operations while the other students were made up to look like injured patients.

"This was an on-the-spot evaluation of how the team came together to mange a MASCAL as well as (fine-tune) the life-saving skills they learned from the DIMO team," said Carter. "Each student performed well and was challenged by cadre during the MASCAL to solidify the importance of patient management and flow."

After a debriefing, roles reversed amongst the students.

"This was by far one of the most rewarding days of the mission. What was taught throughout the course all came together for the students. Each participant gained valuable life-saving skills and knowledge," Carter added.

"It was an honor to work with a dynamic group of professionals who care about their mission and patients. The relationships we built with the Ethiopian armed forces and countrymen were priceless," said Carter.

Carter said the training continues to support peace efforts in a region of the world in need of partnerships for peace, while demonstrating "the importance of maintaining the American spirit throughout the world by helping others." (Courtesy, 59th Emergency Medical Squadron)