Munson Army Health Center will offer its next Combat Lifesaver course Aug. 24-28, providing active-duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers with skills to deliver lifesaving care when medical personnel are not immediately available.

The 40-hour, multi-day course is conducted at the health center and combines classroom instruction with practical exercises, according to Staff Sgt. Justine Torregosa, assigned to Munson’s Operations Division.

Combat Lifesaver training is intended primarily for Soldiers who do not hold a medical military occupational specialty. Soldiers are typically selected by their chain of command to help ensure squads and teams have trained personnel capable of responding when medics are overwhelmed, delayed or unavailable.

Priority is often given to combat arms and other high-risk units whose Soldiers may operate in environments where access to professional medical care could be delayed, Torregosa said.

Combat lifesavers serve as a force multiplier, providing an intermediate level of care between immediate self-aid or buddy aid and treatment by a combat medic or other medical professional downrange. Their early intervention can help prevent avoidable deaths from severe bleeding, blocked airways and tension pneumothorax.

The program covers critical battlefield care skills, including hemorrhage control, airway management and preparation of a nine-line medical evacuation request. Students must demonstrate their ability to apply those skills during practical exercises in addition to completing classroom instruction.

The training supports unit readiness by increasing the number of Soldiers prepared to respond during a medical emergency and sustain an injured person until advanced care becomes available.

Units interested in the Aug. 24-28 course or future Combat Lifesaver training opportunities may email dha.leavenworth.Munson-AHC.list.mahc-ops-training-request@health.mil for additional information.