Students in Edison State Community College’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program took part in a CareFlight demonstration on Tuesday, November 5. They learned how to identify landing zones, communicate with CareFlight about landing and takeoff, and properly load a patient.
“Learning how to properly set up a landing zone was very beneficial and something I’ll use as an EMT,” student Zach Kendall said. “It was an enjoyable and memorable experience to go onto the helicopter.”
A CareFlight nurse provided a lecture on the role of CareFlight, proper procedures to set up a safe landing zone for the aircraft, and safety procedures when operating near the helicopter. Students then left the building to assist the Troy Fire Department in identifying and marking the landing zone and establishing radio communication with CareFlight.
After landing, CareFlight personnel told students about their role as Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers, their work with CareFlight, and the overall working environment. They also shared how to become a CareFlight crew member, which was of particular interest as the program has seen multiple students with the ultimate career goal of joining CareFlight.
“The demonstration was well presented, gave me something to work toward, and sparked my interest even more in becoming an EMT,” said student Daniel Albaugh. “It helped me find that little spark I felt I was missing.”
Each student loaded the stretcher onto the helicopter under the supervision of CareFlight staff and explored the helicopter cockpit and patient treatment area. CareFlight personnel expressed the importance of the skills students were learning as part of the EMT curriculum, especially as it relates to patient assessment.
“Traditionally, we’ve taught transportation operations as a lecture process, which is not the most fun way to learn an important topic,” said Rick Heironimus, EMT Instructor at Edison State. “We’re grateful to the CareFlight staff for offering a more meaningful learning experience for our EMT students.”
Students also traveled to Tipp City Fire and EMS that day, where they practiced using tools to extricate patients from a car crash scene and used a “game” to see how they could work together using wedges and tools for extrication.
“Tipp City did a really great job of showing us how to use these tools,” said student Jami Loy. “They had awesome games for teamwork building, too.”
Another student, Josh Riffell, added, “The extrication was great and taught me how to remain calm and work as a team in a chaotic environment.”
Offered exclusively through Edison State at Troy, the EMT program covers all aspects of emergency and pre-hospital medical care. Successful completion of the short-term technical certificate allows students to register for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) Exam.
Visit www.edisonohio.edu/health to learn more about Edison State’s EMT program.