Yuma Regional Medical Center Coordinated Two Days of Critical Training Sessions for First Responders to Test and Practice Knowledge and Skills – Vanessa Gongora Report for 13 On Your Side

Yuma, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – Nine emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in Yuma County came together to train critical skills and practice life-or-death scenarios to benefit their communities.

Paramedics and EMTs toured seven field training stations.

Somerton Cocopah Fire Chief Javier Hernandez mentioned several ways he got his hands dirty.

“We practice on mannequins, chicken bones, etc. The ribs,” Hernandez explains. “And it gives paramedics a real feel for how to do it. It’s like if it was like a real person.”

There was also a station called PEEP. Connecting a set of pig lungs to a transport ventilator, he demonstrated how important the PEEP procedure is for assisting oxygenation of intubated patients.

Agencies are taught how to use less frequently used but more effective skills to become effective and efficient.

Most stations included intubation and airway skills.

EMS coordinator Romeo Barcenas said the training is held annually so all teams are prepared for these rare calls.

“If you have 20 of these calls a year. If you have 30 of these calls a year, you have over 150-170 medical personnel. How many of them have that training?” Barcenas said. says Mr. “So we have to make sure they understand it and are familiar with it.”

Isiah Quezada, Somerton Cocopah Firefighter, EMT, Arizona Western College EMT student, described how to provide an advanced airway while someone is vomiting.

“We insert a tube into the trachea, but what many people don’t know is that trauma or vomiting can cause a lot of blood to flow and prevent a complete view. After inserting a suction catheter into the esophagus Lift the blade and insert it into the esophagus,” Quesada explained. “At this point I have clear vision so I can clear all the vomit and clean up all the blood. Then I have perfect vision to insert a tube into the trachea and start breathing for the patient. can.”

Franco Castro-Marin, Ph.D., an EMC physician at Yuma Regional Medical Center, said all institutions have a purpose to train together.

“These institutions and cities are partnering with each other and training together to try to find balance across the community, these institutions and cities,” said Dr. Castro-Marin. “So when you need it, it doesn’t matter what’s on the back of your shirt. You’ll get quality care that’s consistent across geographic regions: this city, that city, the fire department, the ambulance.”

“Practice, practice, practice to keep from rusting,” he continued.