USAFE medics continue mission in Liberia

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MONROVIA, Liberia --  Medics from U.S. Air Forces in Europe continued teaching a seven-week medical technician course to members of the Armed Forces of Liberia. This week, students learned the basics of patient assessment and intervention.

The USAFE medics taught students how to take vital signs, conduct patient histories, recognize signs and symptoms, and assess a patient conditions to know what interventions to pursue. Students also learned how to measure a patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, apply pressure dressings and splints and use medical equipment such as oxygen, suction machines, cervical collars and backboards.

Adding unplanned excitement to the class, a black mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, decided to join the class during an outdoor session. The snake was startled by a student and struck at him. Luckily, the student avoided the snake's attack and subsequently killed it with a stick.

"Despite the brief excitement, class is going very well and students are learning the material," said Lt. Col. Steve Sales, 435th Air Base Wing director of staff and deployed team chief. "I think the AFL is going to have a very capable group of medical technicians when we're done."

(Courtesy of the 435th Air Base Wing)