'GITMO 8' Trains Sailors to Save Lives

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel J. Meshel, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The risk of injury during day-to-day operations while USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean Dec. 5-14, presents a possible threat to the welfare of the crew and the success of the ship's mission.

To better prepare for accidental injury, Sailors aboard Enterprise are participating in a training series, known as "GITMO 8," which covers the treatment of the most common wounds and injuries.

GITMO 8 provides Sailors with knowledge to recognize and treat injuries such as amputations, sucking chest wounds and fractures. These guidelines for treatment allow all Sailors to be first responders in the event medical personnel are unable to reach the victims.

"The training was recorded and will be broadcast to the crew to help better prepare and train Sailors for mass casualty situations," said Lt. Darcy R. Guerricagoitia, Enterprise ship's nurse.

Guerricagoitia said the Medical department aboard the ship is one of the smallest departments and training Sailors to be first-responders during a mass casualty situation increases the chances of an injured shipmate receiving life-saving treatment.

"We've tried to make sure that we have disseminated [GITMO 8] throughout the entire crew," said Capt. Roderick L. Clayton, USS Enterprise physical therapist. "We don't want them to have to think too hard, because when the adrenaline starts pumping, sometimes you forget exactly what it is you are supposed to do for a given type of injury."

Using theatrical make-up and prosthesis to reproduce wounds found within the GITMO 8 training, Sailors recreate scenarios and injuries for maximum realism.

"We want to make it as realistic as possible so that if something were to happen, all [Enterprise Sailors] will understand how they can support medical by being first responders," said Clayton.

Along with training, Sailors are given itemized cards with a detailed template for responding to specific injuries found in the GITMO 8 training. Sailors are recommended to always keep a copy with them.

"They can pull the card out and go step-by-step to help treat wounds and potentially save their shipmate's life," said Guerricagoitia.

"We hope that everyone takes this training seriously, because one day, and it's not a matter of 'if,' but 'when,' you'll have to step in and save a Sailor's life," said Clayton.