I'm gearing up to take CLS in a month at Camp Pendleton. How should I prepare? What was your experience?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:06:05 -0500

I volunteered to do CLS & was just curious as to other people's experience with the course.
This is will my first time doing something Army-related since I graduated from AIT. I'm hella excited and want to do great. How should I prepare?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 5:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:10:03 -0500

It’s going to be crawl, walk, run. Your instructor will teach you as if you know nothing at all, because you probably don’t. Do not stress over the course. Pay close attention, take the training serious and most importantly, enjoy it!

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jan 31 at 2021 5:30 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:30:43 -0500

Ask recent graduates about what their experiences were like. I completed it way back in 2010, but admittedly heard that the curriculum and medical supplies used in the course change over the years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 5:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:34:09 -0500

If it's anything remotely still the same as the way I taught it a decade ago then you don't have anything to stress about. CLS is not a difficult course so long as you give half a damn, and you don't need to do any prep work beforehand. The course assumes you know nothing going into it and teaches accordingly.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 31 at 2021 8:02 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 20:02:34 -0500

Study Trauma. CPR, Stop the bleeding and bandaging.
Practice your procedures until you can do each item three times without error.
Practice splints, and immobilization of the neck.
Talk to your local fire & rescue at the FD for practical tips.
Get your 9 line down - best way is to write down the information for reading using several people's information and injuries' until you can rattle it off without error.
Learn to triage.
Learn to set up an LZ / Know CCP procedures / practice navigation and map reading (coordinates)
When you're studying and things get to be too much., set your clock and take 20 minute nap.
Don't quit and keep your sense of humor.

YER NOT A DOCTOR - REMEMBER - YOUR JOB IS TO STABILZE AND EVACUATE THE SOLDIER AS SOON AS FEASIBLE.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jan 31 at 2021 9:42 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 21:42:50 -0500

No need to stress. All the tasks are pretty easy, and you get to practice them before you get checked off on them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2021 10:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 22:46:32 -0500

CLS? There's nothing to prepare for. You show up, sleep through some PowerPoint and practice a few tourniquets. You don't even learn how to give IVs anymore

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 1 at 2021 10:58 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 10:58:23 -0500

Relax and just be willing to do some new things. This course is not difficult.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2021 6:12 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 18:12:44 -0500

You don't necessary need to do any homework prior attend the course. However, if you do want to prepare yourself before the course, then you can check out the TC3 on Deployed Medicine. You can also download the Deployed Medicine App to your phone for quick study