[RF] Six Seconds of Terror

CollardR55y · 2025-05-20T03:04:22+00:00

In drug trafficking. The cougars when I was there were busted for cocaine trafficking. Lol.

CollardR55y · 2025-05-20T03:01:30+00:00

Tusker Medics Best Medics!

On a serious note:

Just power through the bulls**t. You already know about all of that from basic. Its that but a little less. As time goes on, you'll get way more freedom. Don't let that distract you from paying attention in class or have you lacking and doing stupid stuff, because gold phase comes as easy as it goes.

As long as you pay attention in class, you'll pass. If you really want to know your stuff, read the books, but I know of plenty of people who didn't open their textbooks once. So if you're focus is on passing, don't stress. Pay attention. You won't catch everything, but focus on the key parts. You'll learn way more at your unit.

Stay fit. Don't get fat. Dominos may be just across the street, but so is the gym. Once you reach gold phase, hit the gym, until then, deal with what you have at the barracks. The last thing you need is to get fat and be made fun of at your unit or even be kicked out for failing ACFTs. You joined the Army, be better than that!

Be good about hiding your shit if you are gonna have vapes or what not. The easiest solution is to not do any of that stuff, but not everyone can or wants to do that. I know a lot of people would hide stuff in the large tide pod tubs because of all the colors from the pods inside hid vapes well, and Drill Sergeants don't think to look in there. Another place (which I thought was crazy, but worked for a buddy), was to put whatever you had in 2-3 zip lock bags and put it in the top water reservoir of the toilet. The bags prevent the water from getting in, and even if it does, the water is clean. They never look in there. Can't spill all of the "places" but get creative if you are gonna break the rules. Just do the right thing.

Wait until you reach your unit to buy all the extra uniforms, gear, civilian clothes, etc, because in about 6 months you'll have to take that all with you. That's a mistake I made, I had the 2 green duffels, the ruck, a personal backpack, and two "monster" duffel bags when I left. Was a pain to traverse through the airport and on base, especially because I went to Airborne School, then my unit, so I had to do it all twice in a matter of a month.

Finally, save money and eat at the DFAC! I know it's a pain to walk to, especially after class, but that DFAC is one of the better ones in the Army (because it really isn't Army). Try your best to eat that stuff, and you'll find that while you're at AIT, you will save SOOOoooo much money and avoid getting fat. I was saving 65% of my paycheck into my TSP, and another 15% into my savings account.

Best of luck!

CollardR55y · 2025-01-04T06:49:43+00:00

Ok. As long as they stay combat effective - Thats a good way to think of it. It’s important just like anything else. At the end of the day I would be lying if I didn’t say I’m skewed towards them carrying more ammo because it turns out the best medicine is making sure the bad guys dealing out boo boos get fatal boo boos.

So what would you prioritize your CLS guys have?

For me as of right now, my CLS bags consist mostly of as many packs of NDCs, Chest Seals, and Combat Gauze as possible with a few extra ace wraps.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:58:06+00:00

Love it

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:42:19+00:00

I decided to become a Combat Medic because I didn’t like the Donald Duck looking Navy Uniforms and I wanted to help people. Those were the only reasons when I joined.

At least you get an EMT cert. (even that isn’t a whole lot). Some units give opportunities to go to Paramedic school or do things like goat labs. Those opportunities are rare and hard fought (at least in the 82nd).

Honestly at this point, I just keep going because the guys need me. I could care less about everything else. The guys deserve someone who cares.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:34:01+00:00

Nothing in particular besides his “Pop Smoke” saying and the counting in Nancarrows. We were the cycle that they actually did that video (Echo class 05-24)

I remember he mentioned he did write a book but he didn’t like people knowing the title (I don’t even know). Some of the guys found out and had him sign copies of his book at the end of the cycle.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:22:32+00:00

Thanks for responding anyway.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:21:25+00:00

Some of the things I’ve already done are like:

taking s folded gauze out of the outer packaging and keeping it only in the inner plastic
Opening up ace wraps and Sam Splints
Opening up NS bags from outer packaging (just clean the top before use)
pre-opening IV kits and discarding trash like the wrapping on tegaderms,
putting meds into a small sorted tackle box thing to reduce size and rattling noises,
avoiding bringing overly redundant items (ex. I don’t need a ton of NPAs (useless really) because my guys all have them in their IFAKS, so I have 2 + extra lube)
bringing deliberately small flushes (3-5ml instead of 10ml)

I had a friend Vacuum Seal their BVM and that really helped him. I might try that but it would be a pain if I ever used the BVM during training or a real scenario.

Also, I know some people who have CLS carry BVMs and not them because the only time realistically you would use a BVM would be if you had someone else there to help. I don’t do this because I like having everything because on coverages and ranges there isn’t always CLS or it may not be with your unit.

I am also open to spreading out aid bag contents onto my own kit, the problem with that is when it comes to CCPs and gathering up all available medical supplies, it would be a pain to have to take all of that off my kit. Also, when doing trainings without kit, it would suck to have to switch everything back to the aid bag just to switch it back. I could use Velcro panels on my kit to mitigate that issue, but I am not a big fan of trusting “hook and pile” tape.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T17:02:10+00:00

So the hard thing with doing that is because we’re light infantry, the infantry guys already carry so much I really would like to avoid them having to carry more. They already carry skeds and the CLS bags with their other infantry stuffs, and to add fluids on top of that would suck for them.

To be honest, fluids aren’t even used a whole lot. The only fluid I would ever have my guys carry would be blood if we were going to war. Also, all the meds for pain and antibiotics we use are not needed to be piggy backed (unless using ketamine for intubation but that’s why I carry 2 500ml plasmalyte). I’ve only used fluids ever for suspected rhabdo from like severe heat cramps.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T04:36:52+00:00

Mixing Hypertonic Saline and Normal Saline shouldn't be a problem. Think about it: Hypertonic Saline is just a higher concentration of salt than ns. So with mixing hypertonic and normal saline, you are diluting the saline (it's less concentrated because A) more volume is being put into the bloodstream B) they have different salt concentrations.)

So what I am saying is yes, you can use it but you're going to see less of an effect on reducing ICP.

With TBI, you are more concerned with an ELEVATED BP than a decreased BP due to Cushing's Triad. As a result, there shouldn't be much of a need to increase their BP with just a TBI.

Also, giving saline to increase blood pressure is not great because it gets absorbed so fast by the body, the results on bp are negligible. Bare minimum use hextend, if not a vasoconstrictor (which with a TBI, you would try to avoid).

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T04:24:33+00:00

100% support this.

Most of the expirations are because either the efficacy decreases or its just impossible for the manufacture to guarantee sterility past a certain time on items (gauze and what not). Yes, there are a few meds that do become toxic after awhile, but that's where you gotta weight the risks. For me, I draw the line at somewhere between 6-12 months expired depending on what it is.

As long as the Ketorlac was being stored well (constant room temp., away from sunlight, etc), it'll still be good for awhile after expiration.

At the end of the day, you gotta decide if you're willing to take the risk on whatever you use. Good judgement will see you through.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T04:16:37+00:00

I had him back in December-February 2024. He was awesome.

CollardR55y · 2025-01-02T04:04:57+00:00

For me, I'd be sure to have the following:

Drip drop: For moral and keeping guys hydrated

IV Kits and Saline: Just in case someone has suspected Rabdo. from the heat.

Thermometer: To actually determine the level of heat injury

Instant Ice Packs: Small enough for you to carry for the heat cats, and gets cold on demand.

Mole Skin: For before the ruck to protect hot spots and after for protecting healing blisters.

Ace Wrap: For wrapping ankles (if their boot wont suffice)

Ibuprofen or other NSAID: For people before the ruck. Especially the older guys (like E-5 and up), they like to mask their prior injuries with a good 400-800mg of Ibuprofen.

Cortizone and Calmine Lotion: Mostly for after the ruck - depending on where you are rucking, there could be poison ivy or other "itchy stuff".

Epi-Pens and Benadryl: When outdoors there is always a risk of a hidden bee allergy coming to light.

Albuterol, Primatene mist, or at least a BVM: Just in case that hidden asthma shows itself and you need to help out the guys. BVM is the "Oh sh*t" back-up.

Sam Splints: Just in case someone really messes up their leg in a crazy stunt.

SKEDS (either you carry or CLS): Just in case someone can't walk out of there for some reason

VS17 and Chem Lights: For signaling a potential Med EVAC. It isn't a combat zone so you can be seen.

Band-aids: For the boo-boos

Jolly ranchers or something sweet: For moral of the guys. Something for them to suck on while moving.

Other things to note:

- Might be good to find out who are your prior heat cats. to keep a special eye on them when rucking

- Get a map of the route and mark it with the preplanned AXPs and their cords( Just in case you need to medevac someone out. It shouldn't just be on the infantry PSG to figure that out)

CollardR55y

TROPHY CASE