YSU students receive some hands-on training

By Linda Linonis

The hands-on exercise was designed to give students real-world experience.

LIBERTY — In 80-degree heat with the sun bearing down on a battered car, emergency medical technician students from Youngstown State University participated in a simulated experience in real-world conditions.

Students took turns being the “victim” — moaning and squirming and complaining of pain — and members of the rescue team, who had to assess the situation and the victim.

The recent extrication exercise was led by Capt. Bill Opsitnik of Liberty Fire Department at the fire station at 4100 Logan Way. He is a part-time EMT instructor at YSU.

“It’s hands-on ... designed to give the students experience,” Opsitnik said. He described the exercise as “sensory overload” for the 10 students but one that would help them understand the victim’s perspective, the job of EMTs and paramedics and working with fire and police departments.

The experience provided a stark contrast to the clean and air-conditioned classrooms in which the students’ training usually occurs.

The fire captain said emergency medical technician is the entry-level position; one has to be an EMT before becoming a paramedic.

“It’s working on an ambulance,” he said, noting that EMTs must have 120 to 130 hours of training in the classroom and clinical time. EMT students must take and pass written and skills tests to obtain certification with the national registry of EMTs. Every three years, they must have 40 hours of continuing education credits. Eleven of the 15 Liberty firefighters also are paramedics.

YSU student Josh McHenry, 18, of Austintown said he is taking the EMT class as part of his following a family tradition of firefighting. Both his father and grandfather with the Austintown Fire Department. “I’m interested in helping people,” McHenry said of why he chose this field. “I like the hands-on stuff,” he said.

Student Ryan Greier, 18, of Salem is a volunteer with Winona Fire Department. He said he plans to be an EMT, paramedic, in critical care, and eventually serve on the crew of a life-flight helicopter. He also said he liked helping people and “the challenge of it.”

Nancy Alexander of Austintown has other reasons for building her skills. The 35-year-old mother of five said she wanted to get “more of a degree.” She also voiced the desire to help people and said she liked “the fast pace” of EMT work. “I can’t wait to get out and do it,” she said.

Opsitnik gave advice on how to assess an accident scene and a victim’s condition. For example, a bent steering wheel would indicate that the victim hit it and that could cause thoracic trauma, bruised heart or torn aorta. He also mentioned victims can be hit by groceries flying around the inside of the car like “missiles.”

The three students said this kind of exercise helped them understand the assessment process on-scene. “You can’t be afraid to make a decision,” Alexander said.