Indian Army releases films on combat first aid

Lucknow, Dec 23: The Indian Army today released five short films on combat first aid with the aim of imparting knowledge regarding the risks and prevention of fatality among combatants.

Losing life and limbs of combatants could be greatly avoided by imparting knowledge of basic first aid to the soldiers. Keeping this in mind, the Indian Army has released five short films of 10 to 12 minutes duration each on combat first aid.

The films were produced with the basic aim of training soldiers -- who are in closest contact with the injured combatants -- to immediately start basic first aid in times of need.

The short films were released by Lt Gen L P Sadhotra, AVSM, PHS, Director General Medical Services (Army) and Colonel Commandant of the Army Medical Corps on the conclusion of two-day conference of Deputy Directors of Medical Servicers (DDMS) here today.

''Due to ongoing counter terrorist operations and internal security duties of the armed forces, the AMC is receiving a large number of battle casualties,'' he said addressing the gathering.

Lt General Sadhotra expressed hope such timely administration of basic first aid would greatly help minimise loss of lives and limbs.

The films pertain to combat first aid (cardio pulmonary resuscitation), first aid in case of drowning, management of fracture and application of thomas splint, burn and scalds and haemorrhage and its management.

Meanwhile, the conference -- chaired by Lt Gen Sadhotra -- was attended by senior officers from the Army Headquarters in New Delhi and DDMS of all the six Commands.

The conference saw deliberations on several key issues including review of the functioning of the medical services, measures to improve service conditions, rationalization of manpower pool, cadre management of Personnel Below Officers Rank (PBOR) with special reference to rationalization of technical trades like nursing assistant, laboratory assistant radiographer operation room assistant etc.

UNI