Exercise tests Airmen' s SABC skills

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Means
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  While deployed, Airmen may find themselves in a situation where self-aid and buddy care (SABC) can mean the difference between life and death. Many Holloman Airmen were put to the SABC test recently with the start of the phase two exercise: Coronet Gold Rush 08-08.

On Nov. 18, one individual obtained simulated injuries during an exercise evaluation team (EET) scenario and was found by fellow Airmen who were performing a post-attack reconnaissance (PAR) sweep at the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron compound.

PAR teams are the first teams released after an attack in a base-wide effort to manage the flow of information up and down the chain of command after an attack has occurred.

"It is very important to know self-aid buddy care," said Staff Sgt. Charles Jenkins, member of the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron PAR team. "It prepares us for what might happen down range."

SABC covers basic first aid to life saving skills using battlefield tools such as the tourniquet, bandages and quick clot.

All are tools that play a critical role in saving lives down range.

"The SABC the Airmen did was good," said Master Sgt. Curtiss Wilson, 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron EET. "One thing I stress is to talk to the patient to calm them while using a sense of urgency in order to treat them."

Self-aid buddy care is a requirement that begins in basic training. Airmen are required to take refresher courses every two years and before deploying.

Although this was only an exercise, the practice Airmen receive in training and during exercises, like this, may be the key for many Airmen down range.