Justin MacKenzie was faced with a life and death situation last month. His “patient” had been ejected from a motor vehicle and was lying on pavement 30 feet from the car.
The victim had suffered a “major bleed” from his head, and other serious injuries, including a broken leg. He was unresponsive and presumably in shock.
As a student in an EMT class conducted by Seymour Ambulance Association staff, MacKenzie’s job was to conduct a head-to-toe trauma assessment on a mannequin playing the part of the patient.
As SAA member and training coordinator Shannon McDaniel described the injuries, MacKenzie explained how he would bandage the patient, assess skin and pulse and other vital signs and determine and treat injuries.
“He definitely needs to go to the hospital,” he said.
The April 30 practical skill assessment of trauma victims was part of the EMT training curriculum that aims to prepare students to successfully pass exams on the local and state levels.
“The pass rate is above 90 percent on the first try,” McDaniel said. “We pride ourselves on that.”
The ambulance association started up the training center two years ago, she said, and conducts five EMT classes a year at the Wakeley Street offices. Class sizes range from 10 to 20 students.
They train on how to save lives.
“We focus on helping students be road-ready,” McDaniel said.
Students participate in 20 hours of clinical time, riding with SAA crews and crews from Ansonia Rescue Medical Services.
The clinical experience builds confidence. Most students ask for additional shifts that go beyond the 180 hours of course time.
A Hub Of ActivityIn the trauma class, Keith Guillette of Seymour was assessing a “patient” who had suffered a gunshot wound. Rachel Zinni of Southbury assessed a “patient” who was lying unconscious on the ground after falling from a ladder.
Upstairs, students learned how to apply a long-bone splint, under the guidance of SAA Instructor and EMT Jim Smith.
Gerald Bourdeau of Oxford, who was the “patient,” during the splint exercise, said the EMT course is “very professional.”
“It’s difficult, which is a good thing,” said Brandon Priest of Naugatuck. “It keeps you motivated.”
Priest said he wants to be an EMT to help people.
Before doing the hands-on work, students learned from Smith how to assess a patient’s condition and how to control bleeding.
Downstairs, local baseball coaches were learning first aid, with an emphasis on concussion training, McDaniel said.
As a result of the recent Boston bombings, the SAA has added training in treating blast injuries and injuries caused by weapons of mass destruction.
Such training is “important because of big events coming up in town,” she said.
About half of those who successfully complete the local EMT classes eventually join the SAA, she said. Others find paid positions with other ambulance organizations or companies.
Other SAA graduates have gone on to become EMTs in Africa and Israel.
Ryan Hunt, who went through the training classes, is currently an SAA lieutenant, serves as president of the Board of Directors and volunteers more than 2,000 hours a year.
The SAA also offers recertification training, EMT refresher courses, babysitting classes and CPR classes.
For information about classes, call McDaniel at 203 – 888-8843, ext. 4, e‑mail her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit the ambulance association’s website at seymourems.org.
