New Recruits- Getting started in the Aid Station

[Deleted]

This thread is primarily for those who are new to the aid station, but will also contain information useful to those of us who have been in this longer.


Uniform- The uniform for combat medics and those manning the aid station will be the same basic uniform required for all C/505 beginners, which is the unreinforced 42s, jump boots, and helmet. At The Front should have what you need, WWII Impressions also carries the 42s but tends to be more expensive for a product that is similar quality to what At The Front carries. Sometimes you can get lucky and score a gently used uniform second-hand, but watch for quality, as cheaply made reproductions will require replacement much sooner.


The Battalion Aid Station was the first stop in the chain of evacuation once a wounded soldier is removed from the field. It may also be referred to as the Dressing Station or First-Aid Station. Regardless of the name, its primary purpose was to provide immediate aid to the wounded and stabilize them for evacuation further to the rear as necessary. It was usually located approximately 300-800 yards from the front line (per the guidelines found in FM 100-10) though there is no specific required distance, and would follow the front line as it moved. The med-dept website ( www.med-dept.com/ ) is an invaluable resource for information regarding medics, aid stations, and the medical department in general.

Reading material to get you started:
www.med-dept.com/articles/the-ww2-aid-station/
www.med-dept.com/articles/brief-overview-of-the-medical-department/

[Deleted]

The second part of the uniform is possibly one of the most iconic- the medic markings. According to the Geneva Convention, medics were required to wear a white armband with a red cross on their left arm above the elbow. Numerous pictures exist of medics with 2 armbands, one on each arm, in addition to painting crosses on their helmets. These additional markings were simply the preference of the individual medic and were not required by the Geneva Convention. They were used to increase the visibility of the medic on the field and hopefully offer further protection from enemy fire.

For medics within the C/505 aid station, only the armband on the left arm will be required. An additional armband may be worn on the right arm if desired. As there is currently no evidence that 505 painted crosses on their helmets, it is recommended that new recruits leave their helmets unpainted.


Further reading on medical markings:

www.med-dept.com/articles/identification-of-medical-personnel-vehicles-and-installations/

[Deleted]

With continued research, it has come to my attention that my previous recommendations for medic gear were inaccurate for an airborne medic impression. The initial post has been edited and I will replace the recommendations with correct ones.

[Deleted]

According to FM 31-30 Tactics and Technique of Air-borne Troops (May 1942), the recommended equipment for an airborne medic is as follows:
A single medic pouch, instead of two, with the false bottom removed (to extend the pouch and double the capacity) worn cross-body on the left-hand side with a strap passing over the right shoulder. A leather lace like the one used with the pistol holster is used to tie the pouch to the leg. All medical equipment (bandages, etc.) is placed in the pouch except for the book of emergency tags, which is to be carried in a pocket of the jumpsuit.

The difference between infantry and airborne medic kit is due to the double-pouch set-up proving too bulky for a paratrooper to use. Veterans' testimonies and photographic evidence from various units and times shows that troopers experimented with their kit and opted for what worked best for the individual. However, as the single pouch on the left-hand side is what is listed in the manual, it is what we will use.

At The Front carries both medic pouches and litter straps, which is what the manual suggested be used.

[frank]

Great info Emily!

Is it possible for the nurse to wear HBTs, Jeep cap and boots?

[Deleted]

Absolutely! What I have posted so far pertains to male personnel, primarily medics. The nurses typically wore some version of the male infantry uniform up until around Normandy, which is when the army finally started distributing female-pattern HBT coveralls and the like. Not everyone got their nice new uniforms at the same time though, so you still see a mix of mens and womens uniform pieces.

What I generally tell prospective nurses to get as an initial uniform is male pattern HBT jacket and trousers. Theyre easy enough to find, durable and comfortable (though not particularly flattering), and you can easily layer modern clothes underneath them in a pinch to stay warm. Nurses also have a lot of freedom when it comes to footwear. Womens field boots, double buckles, or even jump boots (without the trousers bloused) are all perfectly acceptable. Leggings can also be worn if desired.

[jcoyle]

I'm working on making usable Carlisle's from modern available bandages without the cost of or ruining an original item. I made mediums and large. The mediums have one tie and the large have two. The photo's I have of them seem to have the ties made of thicker material but these seem to be sturdy enough. For the mediums I used modern 5x9 Abdominal pad dressing and the large are 8x10. For the ties I used 4" roller gauze doubled up. Total cost for the bandage with the gauze and the dressing are $1.50 for the medium and $2.00 for the large. I had to reinforce the dressing where the tie goes through with scotch tape but the process is actually pretty easy and goes quickly. I'm in the process of getting some repro boxes but the folded bandage should fit fine. For the small size Carlisle's the ones that fit in the first aid pouch I'm probably going to use MedSource Med Stop gauze,as I recall folded up in the package they are just about the size of a small Carlisle. After I started using Olias's I didn't use them anymore and it's been a while I'm retired almost four years but I think that's right. Just wrap them in some brown paper and strait in the box..I found a place in France that makes repro boxes for all sorts of items at less than half the cost on most internet sites. Most if not all of this is probably more suited for a Field Medic as the Aid Station is more advance care but maybe be OK for certain scenarios. At spectator events you could use red food coloring for effect. At about $2.00 and not ruining a real one who cares .Thanks for looking and any suggestions are of course welcomed. Be safe, Joe Coyle

Attachments:

[jcoyle]

More pictures

Attachments:

[jcoyle]

Few more

Attachments:

[jcoyle]

Last two

Attachments:

[frank]

These look great Joe! We will want you to use these in our staged battles so the public sees what a medic actually did. Got any ideas on morphine syringes?

[jcoyle]

Yeah that will be the next project. I ordered three from WPG at $7.00 ea. tube with the box, the cost is not the issue but this is something that seems to be out of stock a lot at most vendors. I've got three empty boxes coming from France and should be enough for an aid man 3/3 as each trooper was supposed to have his own. Aid station for spectator event your going to need more for sure. Finding small tubes should be fairly easy but getting the label right for close inspection by a spectator at a display will be a challenge. Letting people see it and hold it is probably going to have to go the the WPG or other commercial vendor ones. I'm going to see how they did it when I get those three. That oddly enough is a good talking point at a static display explaining how it was used even medical professionals would need some clarification when they see the dose 1/2 grain... That is so far out of their wheel house they are sure to have questions. 


history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/surgeryinwwii/chapter2.htm

[Deleted]

Jcoyle I got you covered on the fake blood. 

Attachments:

[jcoyle]

Wow that looks real. In TC3 they had wounds that were that real looking, maybe the same product. They had a mannequin for decompression with a TnT that was so real it was kinda amazing how they can get that effect . J.Coyle



A ATW

[Deleted]

I make this stuff up myself. It's washable, came out of those 43s like a dream, non-staining (I wouldnt try it on your favorite white tshirt though), obviously looks real enough for Facebook to decide it was too gory and covered it up, and it tastes fantastic, like chocolate covered cherries.