Three Chilean Navy paramedics trained in NAEMT's Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) tactics and wearing the PHTLS course logo were on the scene to help rescue the 33 miners trapped for more than two months in the the collapsed San Jose gold and copper mine near Copiapo, Chile. Two of the paramedics are instructors in PHTLS at Navy Hospital in Viña del Mar.

According to PHTLS instructor CDR Carlos Rivera, MD, FACS, of the Chile Navy, "We selected these paramedics, Cristián Bugueño, Roberto Ríos and Patricio Roblero, for the rescue operation because of their experience in the special forces as a Navy Seal, Marine Commando and paramedic from the Navy Rescue System - but most importantly, because of their experience in prehospital care and in the PHTLS course." Rivera said that a Naval medical officer at the triage area just outside the hole where the miners reached the surface is a PHTLS instructor as well.

PHTLS is recognized around the world as the leading continuing education program for prehospital emergency trauma care.

Read the story on the miners' rescue here.