Post by Patriotic Sheepdog on Feb 21, 2015 21:39:36 GMT -5
Had a bit of time tonight to put on my gear. Did some NOD work, just around the house and yard as there are too many street lights and porch lights up and down the road to go all tactical on the block. People were out, and I am on the corner and no one saw me peeping at them. I had a few cars in my yard/driveway, trees and bushes to move from one to another. Was only wearing my bump helmet and NOD, blue jeans and dark shirt and sneakers.
But...the real reason I wanted to gear up (BB, CR, A-pack, rifle, bump helmet long sleeve shirt, jeans and sneakers) was to practice some med stuff. I just recently got a Hoplite for my -14 to be able to see up close and far away, kinda like a fixed iris. I thought this would allow me to see better if I'm treating a wounded team member and if needed to get back into the fight quickly, I could do that as well. It works as advertised. I didn't have a simulated patient, but was able to see my hands clearly at what would be patient length. I could look up and distance objects were still in focus.
The other thing I wanted to do was practice placing a TQ in total darkness (I even closed my eyes on the first scenario). I had all gear on as above, but didn't use the NOD. First I did a simulated wound to my right leg. I allowed a two hand placement of the TQ to my right upper thigh. I did have a bit of trouble finding the end of the Velcro on my C.A.T. to take it apart to get under my leg. I did not allow myself to lift or move my right leg, to simulate an injury. This way I had to slide the end of the TQ under my leg, put it through the buckle and tighten the Velcro strap and then tighten the windless until it was really tight. It took me 42 seconds. I reattached the TQ to my gear and did the next scenario. Next I tried a non-dominate hand applying to my simulated dominate arm wound. Did this in 41 seconds as I had trouble getting the windless in the little catches to hold it. Would have done it in 32 seconds, but the trouble with the windless cost me time. All this was done in total darkness, except for the slight glow from my iPhone that I was using as a timer. I set the timer for 1 minute, set the phone behind me to block most of the light. Both scenarios were done sitting on floor, with weapon slung, hanging like I had dropped to ground.
Things I learned....yep, despite doing this 3-4 times a year, I still have some learning.
1. The CAT has this little piece of Velcro that goes across the windless to hold it in place. I've had trouble with this before, but never removed it. Well, it's gone from my TQ and I'll be doing that to all my other TQs. With my non dominate hand, this time I wasn't able to hold the windless and undo the Velcro to get it into the little holders. I was able to do it, but it cost me time.
2. I'm now going to set my TQs up for arm placement. Reason is that if I need to place on the thigh, hopefully I'll have both hands to manipulate the strap. With one hand operation, I had to adjust the Velcro from a large opening to a smaller one for my arm. This took time as I did not allow myself to use or move my wounded arm and hand. I could have used my wounded hand to grab and help, but you don't know if you'll be able to use your hand, so practice without it.
3. TOTAL darkness adds a whole new dimension to the training. Practice in the dark and things will be easier when you have light. You may have a helmet light or a light attached to your gear, but the situation may not allow you to use it.
But...the real reason I wanted to gear up (BB, CR, A-pack, rifle, bump helmet long sleeve shirt, jeans and sneakers) was to practice some med stuff. I just recently got a Hoplite for my -14 to be able to see up close and far away, kinda like a fixed iris. I thought this would allow me to see better if I'm treating a wounded team member and if needed to get back into the fight quickly, I could do that as well. It works as advertised. I didn't have a simulated patient, but was able to see my hands clearly at what would be patient length. I could look up and distance objects were still in focus.
The other thing I wanted to do was practice placing a TQ in total darkness (I even closed my eyes on the first scenario). I had all gear on as above, but didn't use the NOD. First I did a simulated wound to my right leg. I allowed a two hand placement of the TQ to my right upper thigh. I did have a bit of trouble finding the end of the Velcro on my C.A.T. to take it apart to get under my leg. I did not allow myself to lift or move my right leg, to simulate an injury. This way I had to slide the end of the TQ under my leg, put it through the buckle and tighten the Velcro strap and then tighten the windless until it was really tight. It took me 42 seconds. I reattached the TQ to my gear and did the next scenario. Next I tried a non-dominate hand applying to my simulated dominate arm wound. Did this in 41 seconds as I had trouble getting the windless in the little catches to hold it. Would have done it in 32 seconds, but the trouble with the windless cost me time. All this was done in total darkness, except for the slight glow from my iPhone that I was using as a timer. I set the timer for 1 minute, set the phone behind me to block most of the light. Both scenarios were done sitting on floor, with weapon slung, hanging like I had dropped to ground.
Things I learned....yep, despite doing this 3-4 times a year, I still have some learning.
1. The CAT has this little piece of Velcro that goes across the windless to hold it in place. I've had trouble with this before, but never removed it. Well, it's gone from my TQ and I'll be doing that to all my other TQs. With my non dominate hand, this time I wasn't able to hold the windless and undo the Velcro to get it into the little holders. I was able to do it, but it cost me time.
2. I'm now going to set my TQs up for arm placement. Reason is that if I need to place on the thigh, hopefully I'll have both hands to manipulate the strap. With one hand operation, I had to adjust the Velcro from a large opening to a smaller one for my arm. This took time as I did not allow myself to use or move my wounded arm and hand. I could have used my wounded hand to grab and help, but you don't know if you'll be able to use your hand, so practice without it.
3. TOTAL darkness adds a whole new dimension to the training. Practice in the dark and things will be easier when you have light. You may have a helmet light or a light attached to your gear, but the situation may not allow you to use it.