EMTS practice life-saving skills
<p>Bill Kosely of the Plains Community Ambulance receives first-aid during an EMT drill at E.L. Johnson Memorial Park in Plains.</p>
PLAINS- The Plains Community Ambulance volunteers began their bi-annual refresher course Friday night. The course continued on into Sunday afternoon, with classroom instruction and hands-on trauma practice.
“It’s a state requirement, to keep your license, you have to do a 24 hour or 36 hour refresher depending on your level,” explained John Meckler, who is an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT). He then described that everything an EMT can do is covered during the refresher sessions, including new technology, medications and the ever changing protocols.
The classes were taught and lead by Michael Bedick and Zach Vanderwall. Bedick taught much of the classroom sessions on protocols and medications, while Vanderwall lead the trauma sessions.
Discussions and instruction predominated the mornings of Saturday and Sunday, covering the medications and dosages each level of EMT is allowed to give to a patient, and how. State protocols determine what an EMT is allowed to do, and then within an assigned region there are specific protocols EMT’s must follow.
Eventually, the discussions became lessons on what is the best way to approach situations with different, yet viable options for stabilizing and transporting a patient. This ranged from what to do with a patient who is in a diabetic coma, simply dehydrated, or has overdosed. Different types of medications were discussed and how to give them, and which method would be best, based on the type of patient.
After lunch, the lessons switched to trauma training with different possible scenarios. Acronyms were used to remember steps to take when approaching a scene, and how to assess a person’s needs. Skills and knowledge were honed, based on the EMTs’ protocols and abilities.
On Sunday, the EMTs had a relay race in a park that put their skills to the test.
“It is something I do to help out my community... What you get to see is not necessarily all that great sometimes, but what you get to do is help people out,” said Bill Kosel, who is an EMT. He said he also enjoys the camaraderie of the group and that he enjoys his work greatly.
For the AEMTs, training will continue next week to finish the required 36 hours of refreshing.
Starting February 16, classes will begin for anyone who is interested in becoming an EMT. To register, call 406-529-9767.