Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have accomplished medical exercises facilitated by the United States Civil Military Support Element – Philippines in El Nido, Palawan last week.
At least 20 personnel composed of officers and crew members of BRP Cabra (MRRV-4409), DA-BFAR vessels, MCS-3002 and MCS-3004, Coast Guard K9 Group - El Nido, Marine Environmental Protection Group and Special Operations Unit in Palawan, and Coast Guard Station El Nido participated in the third phase of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Training which started in December 2020.
The personnel completed training scenarios that include harnessing skills in conducting detailed trauma patient assessments; controlling bleeding and breathing issues; and, performing advanced field medical procedures, and triage patients from June 14 to 17.
PCG Commander ErwinTolentino, commanding officer of BRP Cabra, said the training further strengthened their skills and equipped them particularly in encountering emergency situations.
“We are grateful for the recent partnership as it provided an opportunity to further strengthen the skills and readiness of our personnel in the performance of our mandates especially in encountering emergency situations either during maritime and land-based operations,” Tolentino said in a statement on Friday, June 18.
The PCG said the training aims to reinforce their skills in immediately recognizing and addressing injuries to teach evidence-based, life-saving techniques and strategies.
It added that the exercises also equipped the personnel to provide the “best trauma care” on the battlefield encountered during maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and maritime security operations.
The Coast Guard members have also completed the training series, which includes the Boarding Officer Course, Outboard Motor Maintenance training, and Small Boat Operations event facilitated by the US Coast Guard instructors from March 8 to May 14.