PREPARE AND CONDUCT A
COMBAT LIFESAVER COURSE
Disclaimer: This instruction is designed
to assist units in establishing their combat
lifesaver training program
The official source for information
concerning the Combat Lifesaver Course
is the Army Institute for Professional
Development
Role of the Combat Lifesaver
Immediate far-forward first aid is essential on a
widely dispersed and fluid battlefield to
prevent soldiers from dying of wounds
Medical personnel may not be able to reach
soldiers at all points on the battlefield in a
timely manner
The CLS is a non-medical soldier trained to
provide advanced first aid / lifesaving
procedures beyond the level of self-aid or
buddy aid
The CLS is not intended to take the place of
medical personnel, but to slow deterioration of
a wounded soldier’s condition until medical
personnel arrive
Functioning as a CLS for the soldier is a
secondary mission undertaken only when the
tactical situation permits
PURPOSE: The combat lifesaver course
is designed to train non-medical soldiers
to provide emergency medical care as a
secondary mission
The course is demanding and ensures a
thorough understanding of all aspects of
the Combat Lifesaver principles
Exams are closed book and administered
in controlled conditions
The CLS program is implemented according to AR 350-41
Training the Combat Lifesaver
A correspondence course (SUBCOURSE
IS0871) has been developed for training both
active duty and Reserve Component
personnel
The course is offered only in a group study
mode and with training taking place at the unit
level
Classroom instruction is provided by qualified
instructors selected by the battalion
commander or battalion / squadron surgeon
Testing is performed at the unit level using
the written and performance tests furnished
in the correspondence course
Classroom instruction is provided by
qualified instructors selected by the
battalion commander or battalion /
squadron surgeon
Testing is performed at the unit level
using the written and performance tests
furnished in the correspondence course
Training and testing will be conducted
according to the tasks, conditions, and
standards established by the Academy of
Health Sciences, AMEDDC&S, and
published in correspondence course
training materials
Students who successfully complete the
written and performance tests will receive
promotion points (based on 40 credit
hours) and be certified as a CLS
The course consists of student subcourse
text, student examination, and an
instructor’s manual
Step 1: Enroll group leader and all
instructors (DA Form 145)
The primary instructor must be at least a
Senior Medical NCO (see paragraph 12,
AR 350-41 and DA Pamphlet 350)
A request for training should be signed by
the battalion commander or a LTC or
higher and identify the primary instructor
(group leader)
All instructors must meet the
following criteria:
Hold a primary MOS of 91W or 18D, or be a
licensed paramedic (state or national)
Registered nurse, PA, or physician
These requirements reflect the level of expertise
necessary to resolve medical emergencies
associated with the tasks to be taught
EXAMPLE OF A COVER LETTER
(LETTERHEAD)
ABCD-EFG-H (XXX) Date
MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, U.S. Army Training Support Center, ATTN: ATIC-
DLS, Fort Eustis, Virginia 23628-001.
SUBJECT: Enrollment of Students and Instructor in Combat Lifesaver Course
1. Request enrollment of the instructor and students as indicated in the Combat
Lifesaver Course.
2. Please code student enrollment applications as indicated on the student roster.
3. Send all printed materials in care of Group Leader SFC Robert B. James, 1st
Battalion, 509th Infantry, APO NY 09168.
For the commander
JOHN J. JONES
Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry
Commanding
2 Encl
1. DA Form 145
2. Student roster
The letter requesting group number and
assigning group leader should be signed by
the battalion commander or by a Lieutenant
Colonel or higher
A group number will be assigned in 1-3
weeks and will identify that person as the
group leader
Step 2: Enroll Students in IS0871
The roster must include each student's name,
rank, social security number, and component
code
All subcourse materials (students' subcourse,
examination booklet, response sheets, and
instructor's manual) will be sent to the primary
instructor
The roster must also include the name and
social security number of the primary instructor
It is recommended that you send the
enrollment applications to AIPD at least six
weeks before group instruction is to begin
Overseas locations should allow additional
time. Additional enrollment information can be
found in DA Pamphlet 350-59 , Army
Correspondence Course Program Catalog
Normally this roster is accompanied by a
partially completed DA 145 (Group
Enrollment)
Step 3: Conduct course
The course consists of subcourse (shipped in
one box), 40 credit hours consisting of self-
study material and approximately 3 days of
classroom instruction and testing materials
Testing includes a proctored multiple-choice
exam and performance examinations
Only one examination response is returned to
AIPD for grading upon completion of IS0871
This is a GO or NO/GO course
Facilities
Facilities must be reserved well in advance.
The facilities chosen should allow clear
observation of demonstrations and provide
room for student practice
Handwashing devices are required
Equipment and Supplies
Arrange for equipment and supplies as early as
possible. The purchase of some items, such as
intravenous infusion trainers and needle
decompression manikins, may be required
The local TASC may have these items available
Training items will not be provided by either the Army
Institute for Professional Development (AIPD) or the
Academy of Health Sciences, AMEDDC&S
The Combat Lifesaver program is a
continuous ongoing program and requires
continuous equipment and material support
for the already qualified CLs
Be sure to maintain contact with your supply
source to ensure your CL supplies are
programmed into the system
Resupply of Class VIII
Request class VIII re-supply through
assigned medical personnel
Request class VIII supplies through the
appropriate division, brigade or regimental
medical supply office (MSO) when medical
personnel are not assigned
Request class VIII support from the
installation medical supply activity (IMSA),
normally the MSO of the medical
department activity (MEDDAC) or U.S.
Army Medical Center (MEDCEN) if a non-
divisional unit
Re-supply, during field operations, is accomplished
in the same manner as during garrison operations
with two exceptions
* Non-divisional units obtain re-supply support from
the nearest medical unit available
* Emergency re-supply is provided to all units by the
nearest medical unit capable of doing so
NOTE: Field medical units maintain stocks of
medical material with which to effect re-supply of
combat lifesaver aid bags during field operations
Step 4 & 5: Send Graduation roster
and a letter to IPD
Request book replenishment if
you’re conducting bulk courses
NGMS-OTI-MED 21 September 2005
MEMORANDUM FOR The Army Institute for Professional Development, US Army Training
Support Center, Newport News, Virginia 23628-0001
SUBJECT: Combat Lifesaver Course
1. The soldiers listed on the attached roster have completed the Combat Lifesaver Course
conducted by this activity during the period 19 September through 20 September 2005.
2. I certify that all students have met the stipulated criteria for completion of the Combat
Lifesaver Course.
3. Per conversation with Ms. Jesneck, please replace a set of books per student. Mail them
as soon as possible so the unit can prepare for our next class.
4. Point of contact at this activity is SFC Medic, Group Leader (HM2). Commercial (601) 558-
2504 or DSN: 286-2504.
Sheesa G. Medic
SFC, MS, MSARNG
Group Leader, HM2
Encl: Roster
Step 6: Online Credit
http://www.atsc.army.mil/accp/aipdnew.asp
When IPD receives paperwork documenting
course completion, they will send a course credit
to the student AKO account
Original document should be given to the soldier
Copies are to be placed in the individual's MPRJ and
annotation should be made on the DA Form 2-1 in block
number 17(Civilian Education and Military Schools) as a
permanent entry
Recertification will be posted on the DA Form 2-1 in
block number 4 (Assignment Considerations) in pencil
entry (AR 600-8-104)
Combat Lifesaver Aid Bag
Each certified CLS will be issued a CLS aid
bag by their unit. The aid bag will be packed
in accordance with the prescribed packing list
and will be secured as a sensitive item (for
example, weapon or night vision devices) at
unit level. The aid bags will be issued to the
CLS only upon deployment (training and
actual)
It is the responsibility of each CLS to
ensure that:
His/Her aid bag is stocked according to
the prescribed packing list
All stocked items are serviceable
Items have not exceeded their expiration
dates
Sustainment Training
To the extent needed to sustain skill
proficiency, CLS will be exercised during
home station training activities (to include
field-training exercises) and during
deployment for training (to include rotations
through combat training centers)
Program Managers
Program managers are not authorized to
augment correspondence course material,
change the length of the course, or increase or
delete items contained in the CLS aid bag
Step 7: Annual Recertification
Combat Lifesaver soldier must recertify annually (AR
350-1). If this is not done annually the soldier must
be retrained. MCTS policy is to require the soldier to
reattend the entire course
The normal recertification performance tests include:
Checksheets for these tasks can be found at http://
www.cs.amedd.army.mil/clsp/CLS_Recertt.pdf
Do not re-enroll soldiers requiring recertification
Unit instructors can accomplish this
The instructor’s guide also includes a test
appropriate for recertification
It is the responsibility of the S1, not the medical
platoon leader, to ensure that personnel matters
concerning the CLS program are resolved
Recertification can be accomplished by any
qualified medic, nurse, or physician
You do not need a group number to recertify
combat lifesavers. Just write a letter with the
student’s name, rank, date, SSN and a brief
statement stating that he or she has met
requirements for recertification
A copy of the letter should be placed in their
201 file
DATE: «END_DATE»
NAME: «LAST», «FIRST» «MI»
RANK: «RANK»
SSN : «SOCIAL_SECURITY»
1. The above individual has completed the requirements
for COMBAT LIFESAVER recertification.
2. Copies should be placed in the individual's MPRJ and
annotation should be made on the DA Form 2-1.
3. Individual will be required to recertify one year from the
above date.
IMA NURSE
SFC, MSARNG
IV Guru
General Information:
Official Combat Lifesaver Homepage: http://www.cs.amedd.army.mil/clsp
POINTS OF CONTACT
If you have any questions about enrollment or graduation status, please contact the
Army Institute for Professional Development by calling DSN 826-2127/3322 or
Commercial (757) 878-2127/3322. Fax 5410 /3212. Send e-mail to
[email protected]. You can also write them at the address below:
THE ARMY INSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
US ARMY TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER
NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23628-0001
QUESTIONS?
