Military members and veterans who hold a Combat Lifesaver (CLS) certificate are on RallyPoint

The Combat Lifesaver Course is recognized by the Army Institute for Professional Development. The Combat Lifesaver is a bridge between the self-aid/buddy-aid (first aid) training given to all Soldiers during basic training and the medical training given to the combat medic. The Combat Lifesaver is a nonmedical Soldier who provides lifesaving measures as a secondary mission as his/her primary (combat) mission allows. The Combat Lifesaver may also assist the combat medic in providing care and preparing casualties for evacuation when the Combat Lifesaver has no other combat duties to perform. The course consists of 40 hours of both didactic and practical training. The Soldiers will be expected to pass both a 40 question written test, as well as a practical evaluation. After successful completion of the course, the Soldier will receive a certificate of completion, which is good for one (1) year.

I felt that when the Combat Lifesaver Course became available it was my duty to take the course. In our Battalion we had a medical section comprised of 10-15 soldiers taking care of approx. 720 soldiers in the field or on any deployment.  This meant that one medic might have as many as 48 soldiers to take care of.

I still feel that it is everyone's responsibility on the battlefield to render self aid and buddy aid to ourselves and each other. Triage is another important function working with the medics in a high casualty situation or disaster.

Self preservation has always been high on my list of responsibilities to my self and to other soldiers around me. If you can do anything to help your medics when they need help or your unit needs assistance it's time very well spent.

The skills that you learn in the Combat Life Saver course are enhanced versions of every soldiers first aid training that he or she had in their Basic Training. Those skills can be taken with you when you go home to your families and who knows, the skills you pick up may save the life of someone in your family or a friend.