Each year, the Tulsa Twisters hold a Health Honors (First Aid) Day. This day allows our Pathfinders to complete the requirements for the curriculum and to earn the respective honors. In past years, we have done various types of scenarios and mass casualty situations to simulate medical emergencies and disasters. The hands-on, real world-scenarios really help emphasize how to take care of individuals experiencing these types of crises.
This year, Teen Leaders in Training Katelyn Dohlman and Gwen Lorenz, under the guidance of Heather Lorenz, planned the event. Using a template done in years past, they planned the didactic portion of the day using a game of Kahoot and they made sure we had individuals to play the roles (characters) in each scenario. Amber Ruszenas, our moulage expert, helped to set each scene by creating the "wounds" that could help simulate the medical emergencies. Each scenario was set up in a different room at the church and our Pathfinder squads moved around to each scenario until all were completed. The squads had a certain amount of time to assess the situation and render care/help to the individual experiencing the medical emergency. The squads were scored and first aid kits were given out for scene safety, identifying the emergency, providing appropriate first aid measures, verbalizing the risky decisions that led to the injury, and reporting to EMS. A staff member was present at each scenario to help guide and facilitate as needed.
This year our medical emergency scenarios included:
1) CPR and choking which took place in a restaurant
2) Carbon monoxide poisoning from a space heater being used in a dorm room
3) Heat exhaustion/stroke from walking in the desert
4) Snakebite while cleaning up the yard
5) Fractures/splinting/litter carry as a result of a hiking accident
6) A rock climbing trip that resulted in a head injury
7) A scenario where a babysitter must call poison control because a young child may have gotten into something poisonous
We have found that these lifelike simulations add a sense of real-world practicality to help facilitate learning. It is our prayer that by learning how to assess situations and by acting out how to care for the individuals in each scenario, our Pathfinders will be better equipped to handle any type of medical emergency they witness or may be involved in.
by :: Deborah Zigo