A medical helicopter landed on the campus quad Tuesday morning, but not because there was an actual emergency.
Campers at Lipscomb’s HCA/TriStar Health Care Academy watched as the Air Evac chopper flew over the Burton Health Sciences Center and soon got to take a look inside.
“They are all interested in a health or science career of some sort,” said Laura Ward, who oversees the Health Care Academy and serves as director of admissions and student affairs for the College of Pharmacy.
For camper Ashley Nicholson, the summer program provided her with an experience to learn about the medical career field.
“This camp will help [me] pursue [my] goal of becoming an OBGYN or cardiologist,” Nicholson said.
Ever since they arrived on campus on Sunday, the 22 campers started learning about experiences in pharmacy, nursing, nutrition and exercise science.
On Tuesday the campers first learned critical skills like CPR, EKG and AED, then were thrown into real-life situations where they put those new skills to use.
Three journalism camp students were recruited to participate as the “victims,” portraying injured hikers for the simulation.
In the scenario, the “victims” were attacked by allergen-inducing yellow jackets and had injured their necks and wrists in the process of escaping. They also attained severe lacerations and suffered from an insulin shortage due to diabetes.
Each group was dedicated to treating one victim, with an instructor to help guide the group.
“If there is anything that can kill him [the victim], find it and fix it in four to six minutes,” instructor April Ezell said.
Out of all the camp activities, the helicopter drew the most attention around campus.
The Air Evac Lifeteam, a company that specializes in emergency first response, engaged campers and observers in what it’s like to be a first responder.
Once the rotor blades of the helicopter came to a halt, the emergency medical team explained the functions and capabilities of the aircraft during a mid-flight treatment of a victim.
Students learned that the helicopter can carry only one patient, that two medical personnel can treat the patient simultaneously and that the helicopter’s in-flight stability allows easy treatment.
Reporting by J-Campers Sam Bartz, Andrew Bowen, Reginae Butler, Noah Chensasky, Aziza Cunningham, DeKyra Dennis, Zachary Mandis, Jillian Manners, Bushrah Rahman, Taylor Smith, Amber Steigelfest, Jada Woods and Eleonor Wright
Carousel photo by Erin Turner