bobdina
12-08-2009, 02:33 PM
Soldier saves friend's life following IED blast in Helmand
A Military Operations news article
A Sapper serving with 28 Engineer Regiment in Afghanistan recently saved his friend's life following an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the pitch black during a night-time patrol.
Lance Corporal Christopher Moffat was only metres away when the device exploded. He was shaken but uninjured and, when he realised what had happened, he reacted swiftly and decisively and ultimately saved the life of his friend, who had been severely injured in the blast.
LCpl Moffat said:
"I knew that time was against us and we had to act quickly if he was to survive. It was pitch black and it all happened so quickly, but the excellent training we have had just took over."
LCpl Moffat has been trained as a patrol medic and rehearsed his skills and drills numerous times in the lead up to deploying to Afghanistan.
The injured soldier was flown back to Camp Bastion where his life-saving treatment continued in the British hospital there. The doctors and medics in Camp Bastion praised the medical attention applied to the wounded soldier while on the ground.
LCpl Moffat continued:
"The most enjoyable and rewarding part about the whole incident was after I received the news that the casualty was stable within a matter of hours following the treatment I had given him at the blast site."
When not on patrol, LCpl Moffat, aged 24, from Barnstaple, helps to make the conditions in the patrol bases better for the soldiers who live there:
"As well as providing medical cover on patrols, my usual role is making life more comfortable for the infantry units who use the patrol bases," he said. "I maintain and improve basic sanitation as well as building accommodation and weapons platforms from which sentries protect the base."
Prior to arriving in Afghanistan, LCpl Moffat was selected to attend the specialist ten-week Pashto language course:
"Interaction with the locals is always interesting, they are always shocked when I speak to them in their own language, it really does make such a difference.
"Being able to speak the Afghan language breaks down a lot of barriers and becomes invaluable when trying to win hearts and minds."
A Military Operations news article
A Sapper serving with 28 Engineer Regiment in Afghanistan recently saved his friend's life following an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the pitch black during a night-time patrol.
Lance Corporal Christopher Moffat was only metres away when the device exploded. He was shaken but uninjured and, when he realised what had happened, he reacted swiftly and decisively and ultimately saved the life of his friend, who had been severely injured in the blast.
LCpl Moffat said:
"I knew that time was against us and we had to act quickly if he was to survive. It was pitch black and it all happened so quickly, but the excellent training we have had just took over."
LCpl Moffat has been trained as a patrol medic and rehearsed his skills and drills numerous times in the lead up to deploying to Afghanistan.
The injured soldier was flown back to Camp Bastion where his life-saving treatment continued in the British hospital there. The doctors and medics in Camp Bastion praised the medical attention applied to the wounded soldier while on the ground.
LCpl Moffat continued:
"The most enjoyable and rewarding part about the whole incident was after I received the news that the casualty was stable within a matter of hours following the treatment I had given him at the blast site."
When not on patrol, LCpl Moffat, aged 24, from Barnstaple, helps to make the conditions in the patrol bases better for the soldiers who live there:
"As well as providing medical cover on patrols, my usual role is making life more comfortable for the infantry units who use the patrol bases," he said. "I maintain and improve basic sanitation as well as building accommodation and weapons platforms from which sentries protect the base."
Prior to arriving in Afghanistan, LCpl Moffat was selected to attend the specialist ten-week Pashto language course:
"Interaction with the locals is always interesting, they are always shocked when I speak to them in their own language, it really does make such a difference.
"Being able to speak the Afghan language breaks down a lot of barriers and becomes invaluable when trying to win hearts and minds."