Crisis training
Paramedics instruct lifeguards on how to better help in emergencies
Paramedics from the Yuma Fire Department were at the city’s Valley Aquatic Center on Monday to provide some instruction to a group of 30 or so lifeguards about what they can do to better help emergency responders in a crisis situation.
According to firefighter/ paramedic Aaron Wonders, who conducted the training, the training was intended to give the life-
guards a better understanding of the paramedic’s procedures, what type of information they are looking for about the patient and their injury, and to show them some of the equipment they use.
“(The lifeguards) get plenty of the life-saving training. This was about how they can better help the paramedic response,” Wonders said. “Many of them haven’t seen our equipment before, or know the type of information we need when we arrive.”
Although most of the training was provided in a classroom setting, the lifeguards did get a chance to brush up on their lifesaving skills by taking part in a deep water rescue demonstration in which a backboard was used on someone who may have suffered a spinal injury.
Seventeen year old lifeguard Briana Zendejas, who has worked at the aquatics center for two years, called the training an eye-opener for her and the other lifeguards.
“We have never had this type of training before, so it was nice to have the firefighters come in here and show us that if we did have a situation where we needed to call an ambulance, we would know how to handle it and what to do to help them transition the patient to the hospital,” Zendejas said. “Last year if we would have had a spinal injury we wouldn’t have been as prepared for it as we are this year.”
Manager Sam Pallack, who is also a lifeguard, agreed.
“The training with the fire department helps us to be more professional in our duties to protect the patrons of the pools,” Pallack said. “It gave us a refresher in our first aid skills and taught us about how what we do helps what they do.”
Zendejas added that she would like the training to be done on a regular basis, saying it would be very helpful, especially for the newer lifeguards who don’t have as much experience yet.
“It is good for all of us to learn the skills we need,” Zendejas said.
Although this is the first time paramedics have given the training, Wonders said it is something he would like to continue on a regular basis, as a supplement to the training the lifeguards already receive every year.
“They also got to show what they are trained in, what their procedures are, and they demonstrated that today. I think they did a great job,” Wonders said. “We don’t get a lot of 911 calls from here because the lifeguards are focused on preventing injuries.”
Recreation supervisor A.J. Mosqueda would also like to see the training not only continue, but expanded upon to include more topics.
“I think the aquatic staff got a better feel for what to expect in a real situation,” Mosqueda said. “I think this was an absolutely fantastic opportunity for both sides of the emergency response world to see what each is dealing with.”
Mosqueda added that she would also like to have it held earlier in the year, before the summer swim season begins, which is when the pools are at their busiest.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.