LIMBE, Cameroon -- Time is always of the essence when it comes to medical attention. Few know this better than the brave men and women within the ranks of the United States military. One Navy corpsman, who’s practiced his fair share of medical attention in a combat environment, believes it is his duty to spread his knowledge with those around him.
He, along with his Africa Partnership Station 13 medical team, conducted classes on using the environment to provide curative care during a combative or stressful situation.
Petty Officer Third Class Dillon Hinsley takes a few pieces of bamboo from the jungle after ripping up strips of his own undershirt at least two inches in width. Tropical palm leaves and smooth, weathered stones also join his pile of makeshift medical supplies.
A group of Cameroon Marines stood in a semi-circle awaiting instruction with what seemed like puzzled faces. Hinsley quickly put those feelings to rest when he explained how every one of those arbitrary objects could save a life.
“The Cameroon Marines understand basic pressure dressing, but they really didn’t understand how you can make it out of every day items. So when I told them exactly how the fulcrum pressure-dressing works, then they quickly understood how the bleeding would stop,” said Hinsley, a native of Plainview, Texas. “These things literally could help save a life, if used correctly.”
The local Marines learned how to make and apply different types of life saving instruments varying from tourniquets to arm and leg braces, and more. Many of the Cameroon warriors seemed quite intrigued at how the things they see every day can someday save their lives if it came down to it.
Hinsley did admit the language barrier is one obstacle APS 13 has faced throughout their deployment, but he could just tell through their expressions they enjoyed the class.
“I was applying the tourniquet on a volunteer and the tourniquet was a bit tight for him. He then proceeded to give a little shriek which made the rest of the students laugh,” explained Hinsley. “This opened the floor for a more relaxed class, and even with the language barrier, the point got across and they learned something new.”
Teaching the Cameroon Marines to make the environment work for them was just a small part of the mission. Hinsley, along with the rest of the Marines of APS 13, aimed their efforts at strengthening capabilities with African partner forces in West Africa since their first engagement in Senegal.
Africa Partnership Station is conducted with the concept that bilateral training with African partners can create effective maritime security and safety that will contribute to the development, economic prosperity and security ashore within Africa. This medical class was just a small contribution in the overall effort of the ever faithful U.S. Marines and sailors.
“This was a unique opportunity for me to contribute and I genuinely feel it made a difference in their tactical capabilities,” concluded Hinsley. “This may have been a lesser victory for the overall mission, but the Cameroon Marines can actually function as a more well-rounded military force.”