AFRL DIMOnstrates Dedication to World-Class Health Education Published Nov. 3, 2009 By Major Kimberly Reed 711th Human Performance Wing WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Defense Institute for Medical Operations -- a unit of the Air Force Research Laboratory 711th Human Performance Wing, US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine--demonstrated its commitment to high-quality international medical training by participating in Operation SOUTHERN PARTNER, a 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern/AFSOUTH)-led event designed to provide intensive, often highly specialized subject-matter exchanges of benefit to partner nation Air Forces and, thus, regional populations dispersed throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. While the 2-week affair entailed multiple interest areas, DIMO's involvement targeted first responders in the AFSOUTH locale. The instructional experience included a presentation of the Department of Defense "Critical Lifesaving Skills for the First Responder" course, as well as an all-encompassing mass casualty exercise affording learners plenty of hands-on opportunity for applying their newly acquired skills. DIMO delivered the DoD curriculum both in Georgetown, Guyana, for an audience of 27 medical personnel from the Guyana Defense Force, and in Kingston, Jamaica, for 28 members of the Jamaican Defense Force. Among the numerous topics covered were self-aid and buddy care; field response; scene survey/safety; patient assessment; airway management; breathing assessment; venous access and fluid replacement therapy; head/neck/spine, thoracic, musculoskeletal, and abdominal procedures; and triage. The course also included various skills labs for gaining practical experience in airway techniques, suturing, IVs, splinting, and spinal immobilization. The training culminated with a comprehensive mass casualty scenario wherein trainees were able to apply--in a hands-on, tangible manner--the didactics received, and associated skills learned, throughout the instruction. A mutual exchange of information and ideals, DIMO's training effort received high marks, with all participants rating the course "exceptional" and many requesting a course extension to address additional subjects. A dual-service agency comprising Air Force and Navy medical personnel, DIMO provides world-class, regionally focused health care education and training. Relying on subject-matter experts throughout the DoD, DIMO develops and teaches curricula worldwide in order to build health care bridges; emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness, communicable disease prevention, and other current health-oriented issues; and otherwise afford Air Force and Navy medical services the unique opportunity to contribute to coalition partnerships. The Air Force DIMO unit currently operates out of Brooks City-Base, Texas, and is scheduled for relocation to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, by September 2011.