The medics used included military half Skeds, Save-A-Jakes and a new product: the Draggin’ Rescue Device, a rescue drag harness by Staylo. Clearwater swat tactical elements and paramedics usually train with the Save-A-Jake multipurpose rescue tool and the Draggin’ Rescue Device with a strap and two handles that can be used as a dragging tool. In this scenario, the downed wounded were usually taken to the treatment point on half Skeds. A lot of time couldn’t be spent on any one patient because there were multiple victims.

Paintball and Simunition guns were employed for realism. Any medics or tactical element members who were shot also had to be treated. Medics were taught to search bad guys and downed officers for concealed weapons. When doing this, they were to move over the body with their hands, imagining that their hands were covered with chalk and they were coating the person’s body. In this scenario, a wounded bad guy had a concealed weapon. If the medics had failed to search him and find it, he would have opened fire when their backs were turned. All people encountered when clearing rooms needed to be searched. The medics also were taught to make extractions using standard police ballistic shield tactics.

The after-scenario critique noted that there were no “pile-ups” in which a number of medics concentrated on one patient. The tactical/medical response had been fast. The critique also addressed any weaknesses. Two other scenarios were held at night. One was a hostage situation with role-players, and the other was a night rescue of a downed person in a totally dark house. In this scenario, the medics had to find the patient without using lights. They had to stay low, find the bleeding spot in a leg, apply a tourniquet, carry the patient to a waiting swat van and place him in it. At this point an instructor ordered the role-player removed from the van and replaced by a medical mannequin. The siren was turned on to simulate a 12-minute ride to a hospital. A medic team of two inside the van did decompression of chest, IV and airway control.

Outside the box

As a result of police and fire agencies working together, the lives of countless law enforcement officers — and the civilians they protect and serve — are saved every day.

Being a tactical medic isn’t easy. On a Clearwater swat training day, the medics ran the obstacle course while carrying their medical bags and wearing gas masks, which is like breathing through a straw. Normally, swat team members train while wearing gas masks, but they do not wear them while running the obstacle course. An observant SWAT officer asked one of the medics why they were running the course wearing gas masks. The medic’s answer? “To be better able to rescue you.”

Jim Weiss is a former police lieutenant, military police officer, and State of Florida investigator. Mickey Davis is a Florida-based writer and author. Together they are frequent contributors to a number of public safety magazines.