Forestry students rescue an injured forester — a mobile, high-fidelity human simulation patient named i-Stan — during an annual exercise at Penn State Mont Alto.
MONT ALTO, Pa. — Penn State Mont Alto will hold its annual trauma-scenario training exercise for forest technology and nursing students from 8 a.m. to noon on April 19 at the campus.
During the event, students will collaborate with multiple agencies to rescue two injured foresters who have been in a tree harvesting accident — one will be a mobile, high-fidelity human simulation patient named i-Stan. They will be treated for their injuries by forestry and nursing students. The forestry students will report the incident and provide first aid, and nursing students and local emergency response will rescue them and provide additional treatment in preparation to airlift the patients to a medical facility.
“This integrated, hands-on simulation exercise enhances the education of all involved,” said Carranda Barkdoll, Penn State Mont Alto nursing program campus coordinator. “It allows forestry students to practice their field first aid and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) skills,” she said. “Nursing students have the opportunity to strengthen their teamwork skills for receiving a trauma patient and all participants gain experience in mountain terrain rescue, fire and EMS (emergency medical services) collaboration, air-medical transport protocol, and in working with local and federal government agencies.”
The following organizations will assist in the exercise: the AirMethods Maryland LifeNet 81 medevac helicopter; Franklin County EMA/911; Mont Alto EMS; Mont Alto Fire Department; Franklin Fire Company, Franklin Fire Station; Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry; Rescue Hose Fire and EMS Co.; South Mountain EMS; Waynesboro Advance Life Support (Medic 2); and Waynesboro Hospital.
For more information, contact Debra Collins, director of public relations and marketing, at 717-749-6112 or [email protected].
