Embed Reporters Now Need Dog Tags, First Aid Training

[The Bread Guy]

My main question after reading this was:  why would ANY reporter headed over there not have (at least) some first aid training?  Even on a non-hostile foreign assignment, it only makes sense to be somewhat prepared, no?  Shared with the usual disclaimer....

Kandahar press corps must wear dog tags
MARTIN OUELLET, Canadian Press, via Globe & Mail, 28 Aug 07
Article link

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN -- Journalists assigned to cover the Canadian mission in Afghanistan will now have to wear dog tags just like the soldiers.

The military says the name tags will help make identification easier if there are any fatalities among journalists while they are out with soldiers.

The tags "make it possible to put a name on a warm or cold body without having to check the wallet," said Captain Sylvain Chalifour, a Canadian Forces spokesman. Also, if journalists want to travel with the troops in the war-torn country, they will have to take a first-aid course and attend information sessions to make sure they understand the risks of what they are doing.

Brigadier-General Guy Laroche said the new requirements on journalists are not intended to hinder them but to make sure they understand what could happen while working in a combat zone.

"We do not want to restrict the freedom of movement of the representatives of the media or their access to the convoys, but we will make sure they know the nature of the beast well," Gen. Laroche said.

However, Gen. Laroche said the increasing number of reporters coming to the area prompted the military to re-examine its procedures.

"I want the reporters who go out with the convoys to know first aid not only for themselves but so they can get help to my guy in the event of an emergency," Gen. Laroche said.

 

[George Wallace]

My main question after reading this was:  why would ANY reporter headed over there not have (at least) some first aid training?  Even on a non-hostile foreign assignment, it only makes sense to be somewhat prepared, no?  Shared with the usual disclaimer....

I thought it was policy for the News Agencies to put their Reporters and Cameramen through the "Peace Training Centre" for Mine Awareness Training and such before sending them over.  Tim Hortons sent their people there for a comprehensive three or four week course which included NBCD, prior to sending them over to Afghanistan.

 

[Journeyman]

What are the odds that I Disks will now be the 'look cool' fashion accessories for all the media darlings -- once they're home bragging about living amongst the unwashed knuckle-draggers  :
 

 

[ModlrMike]

I thought it was policy for the News Agencies to put their Reporters and Cameramen through the "Peace Training Centre" for Mine Awareness Training and such before sending them over.  Tim Hortons sent their people there for a comprehensive three or four week course which included NBCD, prior to sending them over to Afghanistan.

It is. They're just in "blame everybody else" mode. God forbid the media actually took responsibility for their actions.

 

[Sheerin]

I thought it was policy for the News Agencies to put their Reporters and Cameramen through the "Peace Training Centre" for Mine Awareness Training and such before sending them over.  Tim Hortons sent their people there for a comprehensive three or four week course which included NBCD, prior to sending them over to Afghanistan.

My brother was over there last October, I don't believe he went the Peace Training Centre but I can find out.  But I'm fairly certain he didn't.  His documentary should be airing sometime soon on History (originally it was entitled Martello, but I'm not sure what History is going to call it). 

 

[George Wallace]

What are the odds that I Disks will now be the 'look cool' fashion accessories for all the media darlings -- once they're home bragging about living amongst the unwashed knuckle-draggers   :
 

Yup.....They'll even go through the expense of buying those miniature gold ones.....  ;D

 

[midget-boyd91]

Just on the topic of dog tags and other metal accessories: My skin has a reaction to the metal of the chain on dog tags and metal buttons for that matter, (I bought a pair of dogtags to help support the local hockey team) whenever I have them on for long periods of time the back of my neck starts burning and looking like a rash, I'm not sure if it's from heat or sweat all I know is that it hurts like hell and I'm not about to get rid of the dogtags, because the Windsor Royals are the best (local) hockey team around. My question, seeing how we were already loosely on the topic of dogtags, is: has anyone here had/have this problem too? And is there a way to help get rid of it? I've heard coating the chain in clear nail polish could work, but I'd like to hear from someone who has dealt with it first hand or knows someone who has.

 

[George Wallace]

Well UMB, if you refer back to all the various discussions on Dog Tags and other items being worn about the neck, you may come up with some solutions.  Some causes, I have encountered in the past, have been:  dirty (Sweat and dust) chains, mild alergies to various metals/composites, burrs on chains, etc.  Some solutions were: Surgical hose, Para Cord less the inner fibres, etc. 

 

[ModlrMike]

Two easy solutions to the chain issue. Core out some 550 cord and slide the chain inside, or ask a medic for some IV tubing and slide the chain in there.

 

[George Wallace]

Thought I already said that:

  Some solutions were: Surgical hose, Para Cord less the inner fibres, etc. 

 

[ModlrMike]

Thought I already said that:

Doh! Just got new glasses. Perhaps I have to go back.

 

[Greymatters]

Isnt there a concern that if they wear dog tags they will be mistaken for soldiers?

And if not wearing a uniform, then being mistaken for 'spies'?

 

[Donut]

If helmets and body armour aren't getting them tagged as soldiers, I doubt ID disks will.

And besides, if Timmy Taliban has him close enough to be stripping him, it's probably over anyway.

 

[George Wallace]

If helmets and body armour aren't getting them tagged as soldiers, I doubt ID disks will.

And besides, if Timmy Taliban has him close enough to be stripping him, it's probably over anyway.

Excuse me?  Didn't you read the article and reasoning behind it?  Just out of curiosity, you do know why we wear Dog Tags, don't you?  Don't tell us that you only wear them outside of a green t-shirt when you go out clubbing.

 

[Donut]

Thanks George, I was replying to GreyMatter's comment above.  :

Isnt there a concern that if they wear dog tags they will be mistaken for soldiers?

And if not wearing a uniform, then being mistaken for 'spies'?

I've got a pretty good idea why we wear id disks.

 

[The Bread Guy]

God forbid the media actually took responsibility for their actions.

Heck, I'd be happy if the MANAGEMENT used their noggins to the point where they'd think, "hey, a dude could get hurt here - maybe they should know what to do if it happens?"  And that applies even if there's no shooting but, say, an earthquake, flood or tsunami, no?  When I was a reporter, if I was headed to such an assignment, I'd AT LEAST get some current first aid refresher under my belt.  Then again, I never worked for the CBC

One wonders how the CBC will view the military briefings ("propaganda", "scaring away", "indoctrination", "militaristic", etc.)

 

[BattleHawk]

On that subject, I was watching a clip about a medic who lost his legs in Afghanistan, and his wife said it never crossed her mind he could be hurt. Wow, really, I thought he was in a warzone?

 

[Donut]

If you're talking about a Canadian, you're talking about MCpl Paul Franklin and his wife, Audra.

While you're aware that things can happen, very few troops or their families have any real concept that "they" as individuals are at risk.  In the same vein that although hundreds of Canadians are killed each year in MVA, lots still don't wear seatbelts.  It's virtually impossible to not be aware that smoking is tied to cancer, yet millions still light up.  Not every cyclist wears a helmet, despite the massive head injury potential in a fall or collision.  Doyou always wear a seatbelt?  Helmet and armour when you ride, bike, ski or board?  A lifejacket everytime you're near water? 

If you're like most 15 year olds in BC, I'd bet you don't.  Because you don't think it can happen to you.

Now back to the topic at hand.

 

[George Wallace]

Thanks George, I was replying to GreyMatter's comment above.   :

Sorry....That one slipped by me.

 

[Sig_Des]

Wow, really, I thought he was in a warzone?

Yeah, thanks. I don't need a 15 year old sarcastically telling us what kind of zone we're in. Some of us try to not think about getting hurt or killed when we're there. And if that's how our families deal with us being over there, so be it.

I lost a friend in Afghanistan whom I always saw as indestructable. And I've been there. Maybe you should think before you speak (post, whatever)