With spring break around the corner, first responders in Volusia County are sharpening their water rescue skills through hands-on training designed to save lives.Several agencies gathered Wednesday in Ponce Inlet for a coordinated water rescue simulation focused on rescuing a 5-year-old child.”It’s important that we train together so things can run even more smoothly when we have a national emergency,” said AJ Miller with Volusia Beach Safety.The training took place just one week before the busy spring break season, when beaches across Central Florida see a surge of visitors.Crews used a mannequin to represent the child and one of their own lifeguards during the simulation to demonstrate what a real rescue might look like.The mannequin was brought to shore, where crews immediately began chest compressions. After several minutes of intervention, the patient was loaded into a helicopter.In a real emergency, officials said the child would be flown to a children’s hospital in the Orlando area.The exercise also gave lifeguards a chance to practice lifesaving techniques while receiving real-time feedback.”We have staff from Arnold Palmer here. The mannequin we were using has metrics they can read on a tablet, so they’re giving us live feedback on how our compressions are and how our interventions are,” Miller said.Medical experts say quick action can make a critical difference in water rescue situations involving children.”Those children, even though they’re resuscitated, often the outcome is terrible,” said Dr. Mary Farrell with Arnold Palmer Hospital. “They can be left neurologically impaired because of the lack of oxygen, or worst case scenario, they die.”First responders are reminding parents and caregivers to keep a close eye on children at all times when they are in the water, noting that incidents like these happen more often than many people realize.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —
With spring break around the corner, first responders in Volusia County are sharpening their water rescue skills through hands-on training designed to save lives.
Several agencies gathered Wednesday in Ponce Inlet for a coordinated water rescue simulation focused on rescuing a 5-year-old child.
“It’s important that we train together so things can run even more smoothly when we have a national emergency,” said AJ Miller with Volusia Beach Safety.
The training took place just one week before the busy spring break season, when beaches across Central Florida see a surge of visitors.
Crews used a mannequin to represent the child and one of their own lifeguards during the simulation to demonstrate what a real rescue might look like.
The mannequin was brought to shore, where crews immediately began chest compressions. After several minutes of intervention, the patient was loaded into a helicopter.
In a real emergency, officials said the child would be flown to a children’s hospital in the Orlando area.
The exercise also gave lifeguards a chance to practice lifesaving techniques while receiving real-time feedback.
“We have staff from Arnold Palmer here. The mannequin we were using has metrics they can read on a tablet, so they’re giving us live feedback on how our compressions are and how our interventions are,” Miller said.
Medical experts say quick action can make a critical difference in water rescue situations involving children.
“Those children, even though they’re resuscitated, often the outcome is terrible,” said Dr. Mary Farrell with Arnold Palmer Hospital. “They can be left neurologically impaired because of the lack of oxygen, or worst case scenario, they die.”
First responders are reminding parents and caregivers to keep a close eye on children at all times when they are in the water, noting that incidents like these happen more often than many people realize.