With organizational support from Klats Education and Faculty for Training of Doctors for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, tactical medical care training sessions by Força Ukraine were held.
On October 2-3, 2024, at the O.O. Bohomolets National Medical University, training sessions were conducted for students from the Faculty for Training of Doctors for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These sessions focused on enhancing the students' knowledge and skills in tactical medicine. Each training lasted for 6 hours and hosted 20 students from the FTDARU.
Força Ukraine is an initiative of the non-profit organization The Força Foundation, launched in 2022. Its mission is to improve the medical training of military medics and doctors by providing them with essential skills and medical equipment to help save lives in critical situations.
The first training focused on Advanced Airway Management. During the first day, participants gained in-depth knowledge and practical skills in the following areas:1. MARCH algorithm: — M (Massive bleeding) — control of massive bleeding; — A (Airway Management) — airway management; — R (Respiration) — respiration; — C (Circulation) — circulation; — H (Head injury / Hypothermia / Hypovolemia) — head injury / hypothermia / hypovolemia.2. Advanced airway management techniques.
The training began with an introduction to the instructors, goal-setting, and students' expectations. The event was divided into substantial parts, each including a theoretical and practical block.
Força instructors thoroughly familiarized students with primary patient assessment and care for the wounded based on the MARCH algorithm, focusing on each of its components. They shared personal experiences and practices learned from combat medics in Ukraine.
The topic of airway management was approached gradually, starting with simple methods and moving to advanced techniques. Theoretical aspects of using devices such as nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airways, laryngeal masks, supraglottic airway I-GEL, laryngeal tube King, and endotracheal tubes were discussed. The instructors also provided insights into medication management for ensuring airway patency based on their own experiences. Students practiced inserting nasopharyngeal airways on mannequins. A key part of the training was learning the theory and practical execution of cricothyrotomy on realistic mannequins.
On October 3, the topic of the training was the ASM (All Service Members) basic course in combat casualty care. Throughout the day, participants followed the NATO MARCH algorithm and gained essential skills, including: — Primary patient assessment; — Control of massive bleeding: applying tourniquets, wound packing, and pressure bandaging; — Assessment of respiration effectiveness; — Ensuring airway patency: clearing the mouth, head-tilt and chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuvers, and nasopharyngeal airway insertion.
The practical part of the training was divided into three stations, which students rotated through in small groups. At the first station, students learned methods for controlling massive bleeding: direct pressure on the wound, applying tourniquets, wound packing, and pressure bandaging. At the second station, students practiced applying tourniquets to control limb bleeding, including self-application. The third station focused on ensuring airway patency, where students practiced nasopharyngeal airway insertion on mannequins.
The Klats Education team expresses its gratitude to Força Ukraine for conducting these essential training sessions for future combat medics and for their invaluable work in training military medics in Ukraine. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our defenders for giving us the opportunity to live, work, and become better future doctors.