CFA’s grip-up extraction
1CSSB prepares for casualties

Combat First Aiders apply the Kedric Extraction Device during training.

The Kedric Extraction Device maintains spinal control as students hoist a casualty from the driver’s position. Photos provided by Lt Brooke Haxel, 1CSSB

By Lt Brooke Haxell

THE Leopard had met its match – the tree was stronger and the driver was badly injured.

Fortunately, competent Combat First Aiders (CFAs) were on hand to stabilise and evacuate the patient from the accident scene.

Training scenarios such as this often have a happy ending, but the training of CFAs is a deadly serious business, because at any time a student may have to become the on-the-spot master in a real-life situation.

1CSSB recently conducted a CFAs course at Robertson Barracks, which required students to administer intravenous fluids using a drip, treat trauma casualties, and manage and relieve pain using medication.

The students also learnt how to extract casualties with suspected spinal injuries from ASLAV, Leopard and M113 armoured vehicles.

The extraction of a casualty with a suspected spinal injury from an armoured vehicle is an arduous task.

There is very little space in the driver’s compartment, and an unconscious driver in the driver’s position makes it very difficult for another person to get in to render first aid.

Regardless of this difficulty, the CFA has to take control of the situation.

The first-aider is initially responsible for maintaining the patient’s airway by supporting the head and neck.

Once this is done, a Kedric Extraction Device is attached to the casualty and then, very carefully, the casualty is extracted through the driver’s hatch.

The course was aimed at units in 1 Bde who may not have immediate access to medical treatment when out in the field.
By training some of their own personnel, they are now able to internally provide immediate short-term, pre-hospital health care.