Page 33 - Chiron Autumn/Winter 2023

K9 Tactical combat casualty course
by Lt Bethany Adams
In March 2023 six personnel from 1 MWD Regiment and DATR
got the opportunity to attend
the Canine Tactical Combat Course
run by the US 64 MDVSS based in Baumholder Germany. This aimed to cover lifesaving combat emergency canine medical skills to those personnel most likely to encounter an injured military working dog. The course included participants from various countries such as Germany, America, and Czechoslovakia with
a variety of job roles including dog handlers, medics, vet nurses and vets.
The event was 3 days and covered both theory and hands on practical teaching using the K9 Diesel simulation dog. The first morning involved a series of lectures covering the M2ARCH2 algorithm which
were the steps taught to approach an injured dog. This stands for muzzle, massive haemorrhage, airway, respiration, circulation, head injury and hypothermia. Despite being information heavy it provided a good understanding into the physiology of symptoms and reasons for different interventions. In the afternoon we got the opportunity to get hands on with the K9 Diesel and familiarise ourselves with kit issued to handlers
and especially see how it compared to what the British use. We then got the opportunity to run through some serials in pairs done at a slower pace to allow us to get used to applying the algorithms and how the steps fit into to care under fire versus tactical field care.
The second day was run as a round robin of the different steps in the algorithm where we were taught the specific skills required in each step. All performed on the K9 Diesel we got the chance to practice placing torniquets, intravenous catheters, endotracheal tube to support airways and even needle decompressions for traumatic pneumothorax. For many this was the first time they had had the opportunity to practice skills like this and the K9 Diesel stimulation provided a great tool to provide realistic training especially for some of the more technical skills such as airway intubation.
The final day was the summative assessment day where we got the chance to combine the skills taught with a tactical scenario. We had two practice scenarios in the morning working in pairs through the whole algorithm including evacuation of the casualty. The afternoon then gave everyone the opportunity to
run through a gunshot scenario individually and see how well they could apply the skills taught earlier
in the week, it certainly felt very realistic when dealing when suddenly faced with a casualty whilst hearing gunshots. At the end of the course LCpl Pounder was awarded a coin for demonstrating the best performance in the scenario lane which was great to see. That evening there was a social event on the US base which provided a great opportunity to
chat with participants from other countries comparing similarities and difference in the training and treatment of military dogs.
Overall, this course provided a great opportunity to learn emergency lifesaving treatments for military working dogs and apply them to
a tactical scenario. LCpl Pounder gave the following reflection “the course has definitely given me a greater understanding of K9 first aid, improving my confidence and ability to effectively save life and prevent further injury to our working dogs.
The course delves into a much higher standard of veterinary care than we receive during our training, this is something me and the other handlers wish to continue improving and actively bring to the Regiment.”
Chiron Calling / 31