Fanshawe paramedic students to face danger and destruction

Practice makes perfect, which is why second year students in the Paramedic and Emergency Telecommunications Programs will be testing their skills in the annual “Trauma and Treatment” two-day seminar.

Nearly 75 Health Sciences students will be attending the emergency simulation on October 14 and 15 at Camp Bimini, just outside of Stratford. According to Paramedic Professor Charles Gelbard, mock traumas, 911 calls and medical emergencies have been prepared to train students for the real thing after graduation.

Paramedics

“Last year [was] fantastic. It was in the rain for two days and the students enjoyed it,” Gelbard said.

He didn't want to give too much away, because element of surprise is extremely important, but Gelbard said events like avalanches and multi-casualty traumas are the types of emergencies students will have to deal with over the weekend.

“I have heard there is a lot to be learned from this weekend,” said second-year Paramedic student Laura Marcoux, who helped organize the event.

“This weekend is meant to help with the realism of situations because the classroom setting can definitely take away from that.”

Gelbard said London area paramedics and police officers would be on the scene to watch and evaluate the students on their performance.

Although all second year students are required to participate, Gelbard said the learning experience is reward enough and students would not be marked on their performance.

“I know that myself and the rest of the class hopes to improve on their skills as a paramedic in the field,” said Marcoux, who believes the simulation is a true test of students' skill and knowledge.

St. John's Ambulance are donating the use of their communication centre, so Emergency Telecommunication students can accurately respond to 911 calls they receive in their pseudo- crises.

Gelbard also said community members have joined the team to volunteers as victims and Kellogg's, Marshall's Pasta, Norwich Insurance and Tim Horton's have all donated to the project.