An Cosantóir

def-tec | 19 and provided us with a HQ for our administration. Before taking part in the competition we set ourselves a number of goals. One was to represent the Defence Forces and the Medical Corps in a highly motivated, competent and professional manner. We also wanted to observe the BA's training methods. Our last goal was to make contacts for future training and knowledge-sharing opportunities, as military medicine is dy- namic and constantly changing. The exercise began with equipment checks and briefings before receiving specific deployment instructions. Once released, teams deployed to STANTA (Stanford Training Area) into harbour areas under tactical field conditions. At a given time, teams moved from their harbour area to a grid reference to carry out an appointed military task, which was assessed and scored. On completion of the task teams received a new grid reference and another task, which had to be completed by a cut-off time. This continued over a distance of approximately 18kms and the tasks included: assault course; construct- ing a 12x 12 tent; dealing with a 'dirty' bomb; setting up a treatment facility; extracting a casualty from a minefield; conducting a recce of potential MTF and HLS sites. After this phase teams moved to a second harbour area where the exercise concluded with an endurance march, which culminated in an obstacle course. At the end of the competition we were pleased to have finished eighth in this exercise. One conclusion is that a strong emphasis should be put on scenario-based training, as this enhances the sense of realism that is required to gain the best performance from the medic. It would also allow medics to be exposed to a wide variety of incidents, allowing them a better under- standing and knowledge if they encountered them for real. During the exercise communications to higher HQ was vital. Information out of 19 teams, and third of the regular units). The position we achieved reflected the amount of training we had put in and our drills and efforts were positively commented on through feedback we received from other teams and exercise directing staff. We made a number of observations and conclusions after participating at each stand had to be passed on accurately using the correct request form. Good voice procedure is fundamental to this process, which allows for a rapid deployment of emergency resources in a prompt manner and allows other services to prepare for the possibility of incoming casualties. In addition, in the BA all personnel carry a MIST report card behind the front plate of their body armour. This allows for accurate information to be passed quickly if the individual becomes a casualty. mentally and physically challenging, it was a great learning experience and I would recom- mend participation to anyone with an interest in developing their career in the Medical Corps. The opportunity to work alongside experienced BA medical personnel in a learning environment can only be a positive step forward for Medical Corps personnel. sis on tentage and all medical personnel are trained in tent erection. This allows them to become self-sufficient and highly proficient in the setting up of field hospitals. Overall, while Exercise 'Arduous Serpent' was www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE as Afghanistan that the use of helicopters and highly trained medical personnel has proven to deliver outstanding frontline care on the battlefield, and also reassures the troops that if injured in the field the expertise is there on call. However, working with any equipment or ma- chinery requires training and practice. With that in mind medical personnel of all ranks should be familiar and confident working with all kinds of vehicles, helicopters and, moreover, should be competent in setting up a landing zone and marshalling an approaching helicopter, by day and by night. The BA's Medical Services put a large empha- The BA has learned through missions such

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