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Advanced
TacticalMedic Course
by Rob Gilbey (RDF)
I
was very lucky to win a place on the ESTI's (Emergency
Services Training Institute) Tactical Medic Advanced
Course as a prize in a raffle held at RDFRA's annual delegate conference.
At first I wondered what I'd let myself in for but after I
read the course joining instructions I was delighted. Since
joining the Reserve Defence Force, I had been surprised
at how little we learn about first aid, in particular how to
conduct casualty care under fire. Any first aid training we
receive centres on occupational first aid and isn't really
reflective of what we as potential combatants can expect
to encounter on potential operations. Even the issuing
An Cosantóir July/August 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie
of a lone field dressing per man is evidence enough that
while we carry small arms and can operate heavy weapons,
we aren't equipped and trained to deal with devastating
injuries that can occur on both sides when such weaponry
is used.
That is where the ESTI Tactical Advanced Medic Course
comes in. On day one, we were introduced to the concept
of tactical medicine and casualty care under fire and how
it differs from the conventional 'street' first aid. We went
on to learn about airway control, utilising nasal and oral
airways, i-gels, tourniquets (both civil and combat application), haemostatic agents (quick-clot gauze), the application
