University of Greenwich Hosts Paramedic Science Mass Casualty Simulation Event

After last year’s simulated plane crash, this year’s simulation was a ‘bomb at a school reunion’.

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Students were briefed on how emergency services deal with a major incident and the protocols involved. Roles were then allocated which saw crews of two, made up of a final-year student and a first-year student.

Radios were utilised to give reports between the control room, the scene of the incident, the casualty clearing area and a hospital area – all of which require several student paramedics to facilitate.

Robin Slee, Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences said:

“Major incidents such as these tend to be rare but happen when least expected, and so understanding how the command-and-control structure needs to be implemented and triage and priority of casualties, for the most seriously injured to be extricated from the scene first, is not something to learn when faced with a real situation. So part of the purpose to provide the students so pre learning and simulated opportunity to undertake such a situation.

“Unlike the previous event, the majority of patients were played by actors with a various moulage injuries applied. This played an important part in the student development (especially year 1’s).

“Communication is key when dealing with any patient, and the students facing complete strangers and trying to ascertain the extent of their injuries whilst comforting them and putting the patients at ease is a difficult job, and debriefing after each incident this theme became apparent.”

First on the scene were met with a scene of carnage which replicates the incident – the patients are made up of high-fidelity manikins and several professional actors, all with various injuries.

Students were asked to enter the scene and triage patients, then get them out for treatment, with a view to ensuring maximum survival.

This was a valuable learning experience for all students in every role. The scenarios expose them to the procedure when dealing with major incidents and multiple casualties.