USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
The Shuttle Newsletter Edition
“We are Legend”
May 15, 2012 Issue
Big E’s MTT: Teaching First-Aid to First Responders Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gregory A. Pickett II There are seven battle dressing stations aboard Enterprise. While it is the responsibility of the corpsmen to maintain the BDS, including inventory and making sure the equipment is working properly, it is everyone’s responsibility to learn how to save a life when called upon. A battle dressing station is like a mini trauma station that is stocked with a lot of dressings equipment to maintain people’s airways, oxygen and blood-drawing equipment that is used in case of a mass casualty situation. Enterprise Sailors always train as if they were in the midst of a real GQ situation. History has shown that the most common wounds in such cases are called GITMO 8 wounds, which vary from sucking chest wounds and electrical shocks to amputations and fractures. There are only about 50 corpsmen among Enterprise’s crew of more than 4,600 Sailors and Marines, so if a real mass casualty situation arose, all crew members would need to recall the first-aid training they have gone over time and time again. “Last deployment during the piracy incident was the first time all of the training came into place with stretcher bearers and the medical team,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sonya R. Strickland, forward BDS supervisor. “I think that everyone realized how important the training is and how much we need as many people as possible to know how to Sailors, instructed by the Medical Training Team, respond to a simulated save lives.” medical emergency during a general quarters drill. (Photo by MCSN Brian G. At every GQ, the MTT trains for the unknown Reynolds) because, when they are called into action, it is USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – Once a week, Sailors stationed essential to remember what steps are needed to save a life. aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) run a To become qualified to operate in a BDS, Sailors are general quarters (GQ) drill to further their knowledge of required to have advanced stretcher bearer training and be CPR firefighting, flood control and life-saving first aid techniques. qualified, with further medical training to continue when they When the GQ alarm sounds, Enterprise’s Medical Training reach a repair locker. Team (MTT) stands ready to educate crew members in the The first aid training and qualifications Sailors receive can aspects of first aid, GITMO 8, CPR, mass casualty treatment, also help save lives both on and off the ship. medical response during a major fire, patient transporting, and “The best medical training team is experienced. Training how to assist the Medical department during other medical and dedication to teaching others makes a good training team,” emergencies. said Lt. Darcy R. Guerricagoitia, ship’s nurse. “Safety and It is every Sailor’s responsibility to be prepared to help save knowledge of the ship are also important for MTT members.” lives aboard ‘Big E’. Therefore, every GQ drill, repair lockers For more information about the MTT or the first-aid training and battle dressing stations (BDS) have corpsmen who lead offered aboard Enterprise, Sailors should contact Medical at training on basic life saving procedures. J-7777.