There is a great (and short) informative video HERE. If the link does not work you can go to www.navy.mil and type "USS Mahan Triage Training" in the search bar which is found in the upper right corner.
Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. (RELEASED)
The beauty of TRH is that it can be used not only during the counter piracy operations, but also during humanitarian and disaster situations.
The TRH team consists of 14 volunteers who are trained to provide emergency medical and spiritual care. If an injured person is brought aboard Mahan they are assessed and treated appropriately. During the course of medical treatment the team allows a time and place for prayer.
The program encompasses all faith groups, but since the ship is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet Area of Operations, Macklin conducted extensive research to increase his understanding of Islamic rites and observances.
Check out what Macklin says about TRH:
"Especially in this AOR (area of responsibility), their faith is their life, and their faith is their family. It is what we call an enmeshed family," said Macklin, originally from Holyoke, Colo.
"In these circumstances, it is very important to know the person coming aboard a ship, before administering assistance. This way, the whole person is being facilitated and true healing can occur. The object must be to look past just physically keeping them alive and instead respecting the complete individual, providing those things that are dear to their life and heart – not just the outer shell.
"In this way we meet them physically, spiritually, mentally and socially," he said.
Wow! What a beautiful way to describe the essence of this program. Plus, I love it when medical people realize that a person is mind body and spirit and strive to treat the whole individual rather than behaving as though they are just a slab of meat to be fixed.
You may find more information at:http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=42710
