Combat Life Saving (CLS) – On a Higher Level

The Combat Life Saver (CLS) course was first arranged in February 2009 in Budapest, at the Medical Preparation and Further Training Base of the HDF Military Hospital. As the Commander, Col. (Eng.) László Bánsági said: in the first two years the majority of the soldiers applied on a voluntary base for the preparation course, while this year CLS-courses have already been launched primarily for the contingents departing for missions, and for the forces assigned for international tasks.

The speciality of the CLS-training is that the participants of the courses can practice the so called venous catheterization and infusion administration also besides the treatment and dressing of wounds. As a matter of fact, this represents a higher stage than providing the non-professional first aid. The full – 36-hectare – area of the barracks is utilized for the different simulation exercises. The participants have to react to unexpected situations during the preparation period, because the circumstances of the theatre of war are “created" with the help of blank rounds, smoke and sound grenades, and the injuries adequate to the situation are also imitated.

This year the CLS-program saw more than 300 people participating in the courses as yet – at present 23 people are in the process of acquiring the necessary skills at the preparatory course going on just now. Apart from this, in 2011 several one-week, 40-hour trade training programs have been arranged for the medical personnel of the units. Special medical training courses are regularly organised for the soldiers in rescue diver and EOD positions.