An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March / April 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 20 | B eing a member of the Army Reserves allows the soldier to bring their civilian skills and experience to their units and to support the General Public, while serving in the uniform. Today's Reservists come from many paths of life: civilian engineers, teachers, professional drivers, firefighters, paramedics, pilots – the list goes on. Amongst all these roles, it is the medical professionals who bring their extensive knowledge and experience to both Reserves and Permanent Defence Forces. Many Privates, Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers who currently serve in the AR, are also involved in many medical roles within the Defence Forces, such as medics, instructors, and Military First Responders. In my opinion, the Defence Forces Training Centre, amongst many career courses, organises probably one of the most valuable one, which is also cross-transferable to civilian life: the Military First Responder Course. No previous medical experience is required to become a MFR. This course is one of the very few which are regulated by both the Defence Forces and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC). It consists of eight days of instruction, split between four weekends, and consists of both theory and practical training. The syllabus is very much like the civilian version of it (Emergency First Responder); however, it adds a whole layer of military operations and applications to it. While every soldier receives a full training on basic field first aid, MFR's are trained to provide an emergency medical care to each soldier in both peacetime and combat situations. It is also a great introduction to more advanced first aid, which gives a good knowledge foundation for further training, such as Emergency Medical Technician. As the training syllabus is PHECC accredited, course participants are receiving both military and civilian certification, while the instructors carry vast medical experience, such as Dublin Fire Brigade. The first module covers the basics and more advanced aspects of the Cardiac First Responder programme. It covers basic life support skills for victims of stroke, cardiac arrest, heart attack, choking and the use of automated external defibrillator. Taking this knowledge a step forward, MFRs are then trained in basic airway management, which is crucial in any type of injury which involves loss of consciousness and/or physical injuries of the head. One of the leading and very easily avoidable causes of death of trauma patients is poor airway management. Without proper management of breathing, an injured person can simply choke on their own tongue or bodily fluids. MFR students are taught how to manage the breathing using three of the most modern and well researched devices: oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways and inter-surgical I-gel supraglottic airway. While the names might sound confusing for someone who is not trained, individually measured oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways should be always carried in an individual first aid kit. The oropharyngeal device simply keeps the tongue away from sliding backwards and blocking the airway. It also allows for more efficient delivery of oxygen during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with the use of mechanical aids from various masks, ventilators, and oxygen. A ARMY RESERVE MILITARY FIRST RESPONDER COURSE Medics never stand taller than when they kneel to treat the wounded. — COMBAT MEDICS ASSOCIATION MOTTO " " MFR students pratice using splints Students working in pairs Simulated casualty

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