IC-EMS HOSTS DAY-LONG EMERGENCY TRAINING SIMULATION

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Bloomington, IN—February 27, 2022  Intra Collegiate Emergency Medical Service (IC-EMS) at Indiana University hosted a full-scale training exercise from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, February 26, at Bill Armstrong Stadium. The event, which simulated trauma and medical situations of varying severity, was designed to help the organization’s members maintain a high level of readiness for the events they assist, including the upcoming Little 500 bicycle races. The simulation was recorded with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Emergency Medical Services and the National Registry for Emergency Medical Technicians. 

This event allowed IC-EMS members, all IU students who hold either an EMT or basic first aid certification, to practice emergency medical care and first aid skills in lifelike scenarios. Using a combination of live patients and high tech mannequins, they addressed situations that included cardiac arrest, overdose, penetrating trauma, allergic reaction, a choking infant, a mass casualty incident, and a variety of potential biking injuries that required triage and treatment. 

Nearly 30 members of IC-EMS and medical students from the IU School of Medicine took part in the comprehensive session. Megan Tarlton, Vice President and Training Director for IC-EMS explained the protocol: “Participants were randomly assigned to squads of up to four providers, with each squad containing at least one EMT. The random assignment forced them to come together quickly as a team as they rotated through ten stations where they had to perform to the full scope of their respective certifications. We were very pleased with how efficiently and professionally everyone did their jobs.”

IC-EMS is unique in that the organization is entirely student-led and staffed. Accordingly, the simulation was entirely organized by students, with the generous support of the IU Funding Board, IU Student Foundation, IU School of Medicine-Bloomington’s Interprofessional Simulation Center, and various paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters from the surrounding counties. Members of the IU community volunteered as patients and in other roles, and the IU School of Medicine allowed the use of its state-of-the-art mannequins to create scenarios where live volunteers could not provide an adequate lifelike simulation. This simulation is slated to become an annual event.

About IC-EMS at IU

Intra Collegiate Emergency Medical Services (IC-EMS) is a state-certified non-transport basic life support (BLS) organization that is completely run and staffed by student volunteers. Its roughly 100 members all hold certifications as either EMT-basics or first aid personnel and share a passion for patient care. The mission of IC-EMS is to educate and provide emergency medical care to the Indiana University and Bloomington community. It is privately hired by university departments, student organizations, and community organizations to provide comprehensive emergency medical care to event participants. IC-EMS at IU has a proud tradition of providing emergency medical service at major university events, including the Little 500 bicycle races, IU Athletics events, as well as other popular campus events. The current executive board is comprised of Dillon Bille, Megan Tarlton, Adhitya Balaji, Isabell Deem, Liza Pradhan, Abbie Aldridge, Colton Lind, Corrine Miller, Kara Davis, and Caitlynn Saltzgaber.  

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