DEH RAWUD, Afghanistan - Afghan police learned the basics of combat first aid from one of their own Feb. 13 under watchful eyes of Texas Army National Guard Soldiers.
During the past two months, 21 police officers in Deh Rawud district have been trained in 'Combat Life Saver' first aid by Soldiers of the U.S. Army 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, or 56th IBCT, Police Security Force Advisor Team and now one of the Afghan patrolmen has stepped up to train his fellow officers.
Patrolman Muhamad Ewaz learned a range of emergency trauma skills from the Texans, including bleeding control, basic first aid response and casualty evacuation. He is now passing these life-saving skills to other police in the district.
The course, currently taught by Ewaz and U.S. Soldiers, runs over two days with three hours of practical instruction each day. It educates Afghan Uniform Police, or AUP, in the basics of controlling bleeding and first aid.
Sgt. Eric Thompson, 56th IBCT, said the courses started out with U.S. Soldiers in the lead and now Patrolman Ewaz has started to take charge.
"We've had several courses over the last couple of months, and he's started the process of taking over the training. That way he can conduct the training at the police district headquarters without coalition forces," Thompson said.
Patrolman Ewaz has assumed the role of teacher with enthusiasm, taking the initiative to train other police without direction from the Texas Soldiers.
"He has actually trained an assistant medic and the police commanders, the executive officer and second in command, in these skills," Thompson said.
Patrolman Ewaz said he was appreciative of Sgt. Thompson's help with the training.
"First he trained me on the basic training – trauma and bandages and this is the second team we are training (together). We trained another team last week," Ewaz said.
In the future, Patrolman Ewaz will conduct training with police who are based at remote areas in Deh Rawud district.
"After this I will go to train the AUP out at the checkpoints. Basic training for the AUP will be how to put on a tourniquet, how to stop bleeding, how to [casualty evacuation] to headquarters or nearest clinic," said Ewaz.
"It is a very important training. It gives us a huge help because now our police know how to stop the bleeding, because the bleeding is the major thing that causes loss of life. This will help save a lot of lives," Ewaz said.