Woops / Short version of Combat Lifesaver

I had a long entry I wrote last night but I forgot to synch that document to my flashdrive. Because so many Army folks are mobilizing through this base, computer time is at a premium. There are 21 computers for multiple thousands of transient soldiers, some coming in and some going out. Before I come over here to post I need to make sure that my emails and posts are written and all my photos are ready to transfer, otherwise it's just rude to make people wait. Today was day 2 of CLS training. So far it is very good training for treating the primary causes of death in OEF and OIF: bleeding from extremity wounds (including amputations), airway obstructions, and collapsed lungs. I never knew that there were alot of chest wounds because I figured the body armor was pretty good for that sort of protection. Apparently, the armor is good, but if a piece of shrapnel or a bullet enters the chest from one of the vulnerable areas (armpit, abdomen, crotch) then it will travel through the torso, exit, and then hit the plate and bounce back into the chest cavity. So we essentially learn to manage lots of bleeding, sucking chest wounds and collapsed lungs, and learn to monitor the airway. The Army trains people to insert a nasopharyngeal tube into the nose for any casualty who is unconscious or having problems breathing. The Army also REALLY emphasizes the use of tourniquets, because they have saved alot of people over the past 6 years. This stuff really brings the war up close and in my face. Makes it pretty damn scary when you talk all day about what is happening everyday. I wish the media could/would cover this more. When the term "defending our freedom" includes leaking cerebrospinal fluid, sucking chest wounds, and ruptured organs, it changes the feel of it...