Moraine Park students get hands-on training with Flight for Life

On July 19, a Flight for Life helicopter landed in the north parking lot of Moraine Park Technical College’s Fond du Lac campus where the “victim” of a car-bicycle crash was being prepped for transport.
 
As part of this summer’s Basic EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course, this capstone event provided the EMT students with hands-on training to prepare them for a real-life situation on the job.

Using a mannequin for the patient, the event simulated an emergency response in which students handled all aspects from dispatch to transfer, using skills they learned about patient assessment, airway management, respiratory and medical emergencies, trauma assessment and management, preparing patients for transport and coordinating with additional resources. In addition to Flight for Life, Brooks Ambulance participated in the activity.

Moraine Park EMT–Paramedic instructor George Blankinship said his students’ interaction with Flight for Life during a simulated accident is “the capstone of their learning. It gives them a real-life experience as to the duties of an emergency medical services provider.”

“We got to see what actually happens when the flight comes,” said student Kevin Zamora of Fond du Lac. “It was nerve-wracking and exciting at
the same time.”

Logan Spillner of Ripon said the event showed him situations in which it would be necessary to call for extra help, while Molly Davies of Mayville
said it provided an idea of what can really happen.

“Until you experience it, you don't know what can happen,” said Davies. “It's a great class and hands-on.”

For more information about the EMT – Basic and EMT – Paramedic programs at Moraine Park, go to morainepark.edu/programs.