Identify the functions of the combat lifesaver and the contents of the combat lifesaver aid bag.

Given multiple-choice items pertaining to the role of the combat lifesaver and to the combat lifesaver aid bag.

Score 70 or more points on the 100 point written examination.

AR 350-41, Training in Units.

STP 21-1-SMCT, Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks: Skill Level 1.

FM 21-11, First Aid for Soldiers.

Soldiers Training Publications (STP) 8-91B15-SM-TG, Soldier's Manual and Trainer's Guide: MOS 91B, Medical Specialist, Skill Levels 1/2/3/4/5.

STP 8-91-SM CMF 91 General Medical Tasks.

You have already been tested on your ability to perform the buddy-aid tasks which every soldier is expected to know and perform. The tasks you will now learn are tasks normally performed by the 91W Health Care Specialist (91B Medical Specialist). The most important task you will learn is to initiate an intravenous infusion. Initiating an intravenous infusion will help to control shock caused by blood loss, severe burns, or severe heat injury.

The Army battle doctrine was developed for a mobile and widely dispersed battlefield. The doctrine recognizes that battlefield constraints will limit the ability of trained medical personnel, including combat medics (Health Care Specialists MOS 91W), to provide immediate, far-forward care. Therefore, a plan was developed to provide additional care to injured combat soldiers. The combat lifesaver is part of this plan.

The combat lifesaver is a nonmedical soldier who provides lifesaving measures as a secondary mission as his primary (combat) mission allows. The combat lifesaver may also assist the combat medic in providing care and preparing casualties for evacuation when the combat lifesaver has no combat duties to perform.

Normally, one member of each squad, team, crew, or equivalent-sized unit will be trained as a combat lifesaver.

A major advantage of the combat lifesaver is that he will probably be nearby if a member of his squad or team is injured. It may take a combat medic several minutes or longer to reach the casualty, especially if there are several other casualties and/or the medic is at another location. The combat lifesaver is trained to provide immediate care which can save a casualty's life, such as stopping severe bleeding and administering intravenous fluids to help control shock.

Combat lifesaver training is a bridge between the self-aid/buddy-aid (first aid) training, including the soldier health maintenance (preventive medicine) tasks, given all soldiers during basic training and the medical training given to the combat medic.

The combat lifesaver is proficient in all buddy-aid tasks. Some buddy-aid tasks, such as providing care to a frostbite casualty, have been enhanced to allow the combat lifesaver to provide care to a wider range of injuries (trench foot, generalized hypothermia, etc.).

Other tasks are medical in nature and would normally be performed by the 91W Health Care Specialist (91B Medical Specialist). For example, the combat lifesaver is taught to initiate an intravenous infusion (I.V.) as treatment for hypovolemic shock. Although the combat lifesaver is trained to perform certain medical tasks, he is not trained in all of the tasks that a combat medic performs. For example, the combat medic is trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while the combat lifesaver is only trained in performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Table 1 contains a listing of the combat lifesaver tasks.

The combat lifesaver carries a small aid bag containing supplies for dressing wounds, splinting fractures, initiating intravenous infusions, and treating certain minor problems such as the common cold.

The combat lifesaver's aid bag (with contents) weighs a little over nine pounds and occupies about 0.44 cubic feet. The combat lifesaver must be familiar with the contents of his aid bag and how they are used. Table 2 contains a list of the contents of the combat lifesaver medical equipment set (MES) and their uses. The national stock number for the entire combat lifesaver medical equipment set (bag plus all supplies) is 6545 01 254 9551.

Some items, such as the bags of intravenous fluids, must be replaced when their expiration date nears. Usually, the combat lifesaver's unit will perform the needed stock rotation. If the combat lifesaver maintains his own bag, he must replenish his supplies in accordance with his unit's standing operating procedures (SOP).

During combat, the combat lifesaver will need to be resupplied rapidly as his supplies can be quickly depleted. The combat lifesaver can obtain additional supplies from

combat medics, from battalion aid stations or other nearby medical treatment facilities, and from ambulances evacuating casualties.