711 HPW DIMO Unit Trains First Responders in the Caribbean

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Reed, Major, USAF, NC
  • Defense Institute for Medical Operations
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE --  The Defense Institute for Medical Operations (DIMO), a unit of the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing, USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, continued its commitment to high-quality international medical training by participating in Operation SOUTHERN PARTNER with the 12th Air Force to the Caribbean, from May 31 to June 13, 2009.

The five-member team included Major Kimberly Reed, Captain Adam Balls, Captain Andrew Muck, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Burgwin and Staff Sgt. Richard Carvajal.

DIMO presented the DoD course, "Critical Life Saving Skills for the First Responder," to 27 medical personnel of the Guyana Defense Force in Georgetown, Guyana and 28 members of the Jamaican Defense Force in Kingston, Jamaica.

The course included training on 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, abdominal, and triage.

The course also included various skills labs for practical experience including airway techniques, suturing, IVs, splinting and spinal immobilization.

An all-encompassing casualty exercise was conducted on the fourth day of training, culminating with a hands-on opportunity for trainees to display application of all skills and didactics learned throughout the week.

The training was a mutual exchange of information and ideals. All participants rated the course exceptional and many requested a course extension to cover more subjects. Additionally, informal requests were made for further training of other medical personnel.
DIMO is a dual-service agency comprised of Air Force and Navy personnel committed to providing world-class, regionally focused healthcare education and training. Relying on subject matter experts from throughout the DoD, DIMO develops curriculum and teach courses around the world.

DIMO builds healthcare bridges and emphasizes disaster preparedness, communicable disease prevention, and other current healthcare issues, providing a unique opportunity for the Air Force and Navy Medical Services to contribute to coalition partnerships.

The Air Force DIMO unit currently operates out of Brooks City-Base, Texas, and is scheduled to relocate to Wright-Patterson AFB by September 2011.

Anyone interested in DIMO courses or becoming an instructor may visit the DIMO website at https://kx.afms.mil/dimo or http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/dimo , or send an email to brooks.dimo@brooks.af.mil .