Why are Combat Lifesaver Courses not all alike?

2015-04-29T06:54:11-04:00

I took the Combat Lifesaver Course and earned the certificate of completion. I left feeling somewhat slighted. I expected it to be at least a little rougher and more realistic. But we released early nearly everyday as the NCOs kept repeating "We train to standard and not to time." When I heard of other courses by the same name , theirs sounded more like the standard. THAT is why I got recertified later. But even though there is a standard and manual to follow, why are all CLS courses not the same quality?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 7:07 AM

2015-04-29T07:07:00-04:00

All Soldiers learn at different paces, and all instructors teach differently. While there is a guideline to follow, there is going to be differences throughout.

I agree that CLS should be more intense and more realistic. One of the best I got was in HHD, 759th MP. The medic had us do lanes where he had the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan playing in the background and Assistant Instructors screaming bloody murder. It was great, and I felt like I got a lot out of it.

Much like with any support MOS, you need to keep the training as creative and 'real world' as possible. As a 74D, I do the same, and as such, expect it from the rest.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Apr 29 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-04-29T07:15:46-04:00

I went through CLS at Ft. Polk, LA - that was a very intense training experience. We had to enter a building that was blacked out, there were recordings of screaming and weapons fire, and the injured were actual actors. We had to attend to the various injuries and evacuate them to the LZ.

Of course, the Major I was teamed up with and I, had to get a 250lb victim to carry :P I'm exhausted just thinking about how exhausted we were after that :)

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2015 8:06 AM

2015-04-29T08:06:57-04:00

Question, are there Combat Lifesaver Course evaluators who review all the courses for accuracy and consistency?

Response by SGT Darin Shelley made May 13 at 2018 4:00 AM

2018-05-13T04:00:46-04:00

Wondering how much it has. Changed since I went thru CLS back in 87 with 2/11th ACR. We were taught all the basics and then some. I would say comparatively it was a crash course in advanced EMT. We started IV's on each other. Simulated stabilizing sucking chest wounds. We given training on tracheotomy methods as last resort for clearing g an air way. It was rather challenging. To the point we were issued A Bags to be kept with our personal field gear. Even tho we had medics of course. My wife was with the 67th Evac and attached to ourAid station at Dailey Barracks as well. As a Spc4 she was not authorized to do and IV set up and administer. This was the basic combat lifesaving course I attended. All classroom and we were the dummies for the IV's. I looked like a junky after two weeks. What's the standard now and did anyone else attend or maybe even teach a similar class then or now.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 13 at 2018 12:03 PM

2018-05-13T12:03:50-04:00

Cause like everything it depends on your trainers!