Ambulance Simulator Prepares Maryland EMTs for Small Space

Paramedics know how to do a lot of things to save a life.

They must prove they can do CPR, administer oxygen and start IVs before receiving their certification.

The only problem is that most EMTs graduate from school without ever having worked in the back of a small ambulance.

"You learn how to work tight. Think thin," said Firefighter Tommy Terry, a basic-level EMT with the Annapolis Fire Department who's taking an intermediate-level class at Anne Arundel Community college.

Wanting to make sure that students are ready for that confined space, AACC invested in a $25,000 ambulance simulator this semester.

"It gives them a head start, an advantage," said Sally Gresty, chairman of the school's EMT department. "Now they will learn right from the start ... how to set up things so you can work with a patient."

And the students like practicing in the simulator.

"Some people have a real hard time with the confined space," said Firefighter Kevin Harris, a basic-level EMT with the Queen Anne's County Fire Department who's taking the intermediate-level class at AACC. "It's a real good idea to have something like this, where your first patient is plastic."

The simulator - basically just a small elevated room - gives students a feel for working in a real ambulance. There are steps up into the simulator, latches on the floor for stretchers, a bench and captain's seat for medics, and shelves for medical supplies. It even has oxygen tanks.

"You can do just about anything you can do in a real one," Firefighter Terry said.

"The only difference is, we don't have doors and there is a big hole in the side so we can watch them," Ms. Gresty said. The simulator also features two cameras, which help students and teachers see what's happening inside the ambulance on a nearby television.

Students quickly learn how hard it can be to work in the confines of the simulator. Firefighter Terry, who already has some experience in an ambulance, tripped when he tried to step around a stretcher last week while demonstrating the school's new toy.

The firefighters regularly train on lifelike dummies.

"It gives the students a lot of hands-on before they go out," said Melanie Miller, clinical coordinator. "It lets them mess up."

But she said there are very few ambulance simulators.

"A lot of places haven't realized the value of (these) simulators," said Claire Smith, dean of the School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education.

Mrs. Miller said a federal Carl D. Perkins grant paid for the simulator.

The simulator, which features decals from the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County fire departments and a county Fire Department yellow-and-white paint job, was built in January and first used in classes Feb. 19.

Battalion Chief Michael Cox Jr., a county fire spokesman, praised the new simulator and said it will help the school train better medics, and in turn let the county provide better services.

"The majority of our paramedics are trained in that room," he said.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.