RSU supports military medical exercise KURLAND 25
The Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) and representatives from the Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Clinical Simulations participated in the military medical exercise KURLAND 25 organised by the Medical Unit of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard. The exercise took place on 7-9 August, on the premises of Liepāja Regional Hospital and its surroundings.
The training was focused on strengthening cooperation between military and civilian medical personnel, with the main goal of improving preparedness and the ability to provide assistance in the very first minutes after an accident until the moment patients are transported to the hospital. During the exercise, participants had the opportunity to improve their professional knowledge, perform various practical tasks, and reinforce action algorithms in order to improve their ability to respond quickly and accurately, which is crucial in saving lives.
Captain Marija Kraule, Chief Medical Officer of the Command Group of the Medical Unit of the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard, reflected on the experience: ‘Promoting cooperation between the civilian and military medical sectors is very important at the moment. We are pleased with the results achieved during the exercise and value the opportunity to work hand in hand with the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre. Realistic simulations enable us to practise combat casualty care skills and reinforce them to the level of muscle memory in a safe environment, without real danger.’
As during the military exercises KURLAND 2023 and MEDEX-25, organised previously by the 4th Kurzeme Brigade of the National Guard, this time too, the RSU METC provided a simulated environment tailored to the specifics required by the exercise. In addition, representatives from the RSU Department of Anaesthesiology, Intensive Care and Clinical Simulation, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Oļegs Sabeļņikovs, implemented simulation scenarios related to polytrauma treatment. It should be noted that Assoc. Prof. Sabeļņikovs has completed the training programmes Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and Major Incident Medical Management and Support (MIMMS) this spring, and his knowledge has helped to adapt both the content and the practical implementation aspects of the simulation scenarios to the specifics of civil-military simulation exercises.
Assoc. Prof. Sabeļņikovs points out: ‘During the KURLAND 25 exercise, we intended to recreate situations that medical personnel encounter in combat and major incident conditions as realistically as possible: multiple casualties, limited resources, and a high level of stress. Such simulations test not only professional knowledge, but also the ability to work in a team and make critical decisions in a short period of time. I am convinced that these exercises have increased and strengthened the confidence of the participating professionals, and shown them that it is possible to save lives even in the most complex situations.’
The recent exercise once again demonstrated the ability of the institutions involved to collaborate effectively and emphasised the importance of unity and coordinated action in crisis situations. These exercises not only strengthened the participants’ readiness to respond quickly and purposefully in emergencies but also enhanced individual and team performance in situations where time and accuracy are critical.
