TAN TAN, Morocco -- Casualties are a reality in war, but the difference between life and death depends on the abilities of corpsmen and surgeons in the field.
The sailors of Headquarters and Service Company, 4th Medical Battalion, practiced handling mass casualties here April 4th to ensure they are prepared for the worst. The sailors recruited the assistance of Marines from MWSS 473 to test the abilities of their Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS).
“We like to practice on a large number of simulated casualties in different environments,” said Cmdr. John Murray, physician, shock trauma platoon. “This exercise is a great location for this training.”
The FRSS is a rapidly deployable medical facility that can be ready to provide full surgical care within one hour. This ability was proven when a Marine had a medical problem and was on the operating table only two hours after his arrival in Tan tan.
“We were already conducting surgery when we hit the ground,” said Cmdr. Todd J. Morris, officer in charge of medical detachment African Lion. “It was a minor procedure but necessary, and we were ready to handle it.”
The FRSS consists of two platoons divided into four categories. The shock trauma platoon evaluates and assesses the wounded as they arrive to determine which need immediate surgery and who can be sent to a holding area to await evacuation. Those in need of surgery are moved to the forward resuscitative surgical section where a team comprised of surgeons, anesthesiologist and corpsmen stabilize the patient for evacuation. The FRSS can support 40 to 50 casualties and 18 surgeries before being resupplied.
The care provided by the unit is second to none, according to 22-year veteran Cmdr. Todd Morris, general surgeon. All the personnel work in the medical profession in their civilian careers. “We do this every day. We see everything from gunshot wounds to stabbings regularly.”
Another advantage the unit’s staff has under their belt is 80 percent have already been deployed in combat situations. This gives the team invaluable experience when it comes to treating battle-wounded Marines.
“Our mission is to take care of Marines and get them back into the fight,” Craig said, “which means being able to handle almost any kind of causality or traumatic injury.”