University Medical Center helps train Nellis pararescuemen

  • Published
  • By Anne Butler
  • Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (ACCNS) --  This year, the Las Vegas University Medical Center Trauma Center and the Nellis 58th Rescue Squadron located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., teamed up to train Nellis' combat pararescue specialists.

Every week since early January 2007, at least two Nellis pararescuemen work side-by-side with nurses and doctors at the UMC Trauma Center, the only Level 1 trauma center in Las Vegas, to gain live experience before deploying overseas.

Staff Sgt. Scott Piper, coordinator with the 58th RQS, works closely with the pararescuemen in training, the registered nurses and physicians in downtown metropolitan Las Vegas.

"These are real-life scenarios," said Sergeant Piper. "The experience is priceless." 

According to Sergeant Piper, the pararescuemen and he are at the UMC center from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day in order to be available for the widest array of trauma patients.

Sergeant Piper said the types of injuries coming in vary and depend largely on the time of day, but the number of in-coming patients picks up in the evenings.

"The environment UMC provides (is priceless)," he said. "We can't provide that kind of training on base in simulations."

The types of wounds the pararescuemen are exposed to at the trauma center are very similar to the types of injuries they will be dealing with overseas, Sergeant Piper said.

Senior Airman Charles Bezak, who is scheduled to deploy sometime in May, said he has seen injuries similar to what he might encounter combat situations.

"In the past week, I've seen minor car accidents, burns, multi-gun-shot wounds and stabbings," he said. 

According to Staff Sgt. Lopaka Mounts, who has been with the 58th RQS for nearly three years and has already deployed, the training at UMC has been "wonderful exposure" for the pararescuemen.

He said the only disparity is in the fact that the UMC Trauma Center cannot provide the same atmosphere as being deployed. 

For instance, the center has many pieces of equipment and a stable environment that pararescuemen will not have access to in combat situations.

"Most of our work is accomplished in airplanes or helicopters," he said. "It's a louder environment. Communication with patients is different. That's the nature of the beast in combat."