SABC cards can help save a life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristen Rohrer
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When life-threatening injuries occur, Self-Aid and Buddy Care, has been shown to be a real life-saver, especially for those in deployed locations.

With this in mind, the 60th Medical Group commander, Col. Lee Payne vigorously endorsed the 60th Air Mobility Wing SABC advisor's plan to create a deck of the SABC playing cards.

According to the SABC advisor Jerry Hoenicke, "these unique playing cards are designed to help troops stay current with quick-at-hand access to 21st century life-saving education."

"As Airmen understand their need to remain medically alert and personally responsive for Global War on Terrorism deployment emergencies, we should reasonably anticipate safer outcomes during combat," said Mr. Hoenicke.

Because mission-ready Airmen play cards throughout their deployments Mr. Hoenicke developed the 'recreational training' concept last year as an innovative way to help give our troops an SABC edge and add value to existing pre-deployment training information.

"Travis' SABC cards have the 60th AMW and 60th MDG organizational shields on one side with pictorial instruction on the other. This display builds upon Air Force Self-Aid and Buddy Care training to reinforce correct delivery of 'normal SABC' as well as 'Care under Fire' fundamentals that we teach during in-garrison sessions," said Mr. Hoenicke. "These high-quality cards illustrate critical steps for life and limb saving such as controlling bleeding by applying direct pressure and locating and using pressure points."
"It's a new effort to improve SABC training results that is expected over time to enable more healthy Airmen to return home from deployment." "The plastic-coated cards will stand up to intense heat in pockets during desert deployments and are another useful tool to help sustain Travis' high degree of life-and-limb saving preparedness," he said.

"As our folks go downrange, playing card games and waiting in various stages of deployed activities, the information on each deck of SABC playing cards has been designed to reinforce vital lessons that deploying members have previously learned," Mr. Hoenicke said.

Mr. Hoenicke added that Travis SABC monitors and instructors have worked diligently to increase 60th AMW SABC capability, doubling training compliance during 2007.

"This new tool will enhance the SABC 'need to know' investment made by every individual and their teammates as it offers a constant reminder within easy reach. The simple SABC message is that those who are fully prepared to decisively act in times of crisis will survive most effectively," according to Air Force life support doctrine and Mr. Hoenicke.

The first batch of Travis' SABC playing cards are projected to go out with the next group of deploying medical personnel. Mr. Hoenicke hopes that wider dissemination will take place soon with the cards becoming adopted more broadly across the wing later this year.