Basic Tactics and Medicine Module A- International School of Tactical Medicine

The International School of Tactical Medicine

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Basic Tactics & Medicine Module A

Core Curriculum

Introduction

This program is the culmination of a collaborative effort between California POST, EMSA, DHS and the faculty of the International School of Tactical Medicine to provide the best possible tactical medicine training available anywhere. The original curriculum has been extensively modified with direction and input from these agencies to conform to current standards.

The tactical medicine core curriculum is a two week block of material designed to be completed in two back to back weeks with a break on the weekend. The BTM Course and ATM courses are not mutually exclusive. We use a building block approach to training. Everything you learn on days 1, 2 and 3 applies to day 4 and everything you learn on days 1-7 applies to day 8. We highly discourage students from taking on the BTM week and then leave the school, only to return four to six months or even a year later and finish the program.

It has been our experience that the training may become so disrupted by an intermission that we often ask the student to simply start over. We fully understand the difficulty of being absent from your full time work or job for two weeks, but we ask for your full commitment and encourage all students to make every effort to attend the the full 2 week program. In addition, there are an extremely limited number of BTM (only) seats in each class.

Sometime later this year or early 2009 the BTM and ATM terminology will be phased out and the the material will be re-designated Module A and Module B to conform with the soon to be released State of California State POST and EMSA regulations for an 80 hour tactical medicine training program. Both modules will need to be completed to obtain certification by POST and EMSA.

Day 1

Monday 0800
On morning of the first day students and faculty are introduced and the school training, safety rules and regulations are discussed. The morning didactic material begins with the principles and concepts of Tactical Medicine. This material establishes the foundation for the two week program. Later, students are exposed to all aspects of current tactical medical gear and equipment including tactical medical packs, backpacks and the latest tools of the trade. Tactical and medical gear are discussed and demonstrated by the staff who have field tested the equipment in actual tactical operations.

This is followed by classroom work covering Operational Casualty Care Care and the fundamentals and Medical Aspects of Wound Ballistics. Next didactic material addressing the all important options for field hemorrhage control is discussed. Hemostatic Techniques and Dressings and Tourniquet use and application is demonstrated and discussed as well as the pros and cons of the many types of hemorrhage control bandages now currently on the market. The afternoon session is completed with didactic material and discussions on the all important principles of Team Health Management.

Day 2

Unique to the International School of Tactical Medicine (ISTM) is the instruction and training on the basic weapons systems; the Tactical Pistol and the MP5 Submachine Gun. The morning of Day 2 is at the range with instruction and training on firearms safety, weapons handling, mindset, and marksmanship of the Tactical Pistol.

After a lunch break the course resumes in the afternoon of Day 2 with didactic lectures and practical exercises involving the use, deployment and Medical Aspects of Chemical Agents and Distraction Devices. The final classroom portion of the day is Medical Threat Assessment and Forensics and Evidence Preservation. Tactical medical providers must know and learn the skills necessary to prevent destroying or disturbing a crime scene in the performance of their duties. .

Day 3

The morning begins with an Introduction to Tactical Operations and the fundamentals of team concepts and planning. Tactical exercises are practiced in the afternoon in a realistic tactical setting. Here, students learn first hand the importance of effectively coordinated team movements. In order to enhance learning, students train in full tactical gear, body armor and duty weapons. Forced Entry Techniques are taught through demonstrations and exercises with shot locks, rams, bar pulls, hydraulic entry tools and hooks. The remainder of the afternoon is devoted to learning and practicing the fundamentals and techniques of dynamic clearing through practical exercises. The remainder of the afternoon is devote to Tactical Medical Scenarios.

Day 4

The morning of Day 4 is devoted to range training exercises with the MP5 Submachine Gun. Students learn the operational use of the MP5 weapon system, including nomenclature, stance, carry positions, trigger control and shooting positions while engaging targets. The weapons supplied by the School are the Hecker & Koch MP5 Submachine Gun

Before the lunch break students gather for the the traditional class photo. After lunch the students return to the classroom for Medical Aspects of Clandestine Drug Labs and Medical Management of K-9 Emergencies. As more tactical teams utilize K-9 units it is necessary for the tactical medical provider to be able to recognize and treat canine injuries. Special Operations Aeromedical Evacuation is addressed as a working knowledge of air medical and transport procedures and flight physiology is essential for the tactical medical provider.

Next up is a training session covering Disguised Weapons and Street Survival for Medical Personnel. In this portion of the course students receive hands-on exposure to disguised and concealed weapons, edged weapons, pocket pistols as well as unconventional weapons. In the evening of Day 4 the ISTM faculty treat the students to the traditional first week class dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5

On the morning of day five, before suiting up for the Tactical Medical Scenarios, there is a one hour written examination. This multiple choice examination fulfills requirements for the State of California EMSA, POST, and ACEP continuing medical education (CME) and self-assessment. In our Tactical Medical Scenarios, students are critiqued by the instructors both medically and tactically in their decision making, as well as field triage, assessment, and treatment of victims.

Each Tactical-Medical Scenario lasts approximately 30 minutes with students rotating as tactical and medical personnel. Simunitions and Airsoft are utilized during some of the training scenarios to enhance the force on force learning experience. Upon completions of the tactical exercises the students return to the classroom for equipment return, debriefing, graduation and closing remarks.

Each school session historically fills about 90 days before class dates. Interested agencies and individuals are urged to contact the International School of Tactical Medicine administrative office early to secure a seat in a class at (760)325-2591 or email info@tacticalmedicine.com.

http://www.tacticalmedicine.com