On July 28th, 2009, Essex Rescue held an EMS Olympic competition for our monthly squad training. The night consisted of 5 vigorous events that put our member's skills to the test! Each event was timed and the best overall time from the night won a prize. Members broke into 8 teams of 4 - 5 teammates each. The 5 events were as follows:
Personal Protective Equipment Balloon Toss - Each team broke into partners and chose a pair to go first. The first pair put on gloves, gowns, face shields and masks and grabbed a water balloon. They then tossed it back and forth down a course 15 feet apart until they reached their teammates who were waiting for the PPE to be passed off. They quickly changed into the proper PPE and raced towards the finish line tossing the water balloon back and forth. The only catch is if their balloon broke, they had to go back to the start line!
EMS Puzzle Mania - This event put our EMT's minds to the test! Each team was given a Crossword Puzzle filled with EMS Vocabulary and the fastest team won! However, for every incorrect word a 1 minute penalty was given.
Rig Check Equipment Frenzy - Teams started behind the start line with a box full of pieces of paper with various pieces of equipment on them. When the referee said "GO!", the first teammate drew a piece of equipment and had to run to the rig and find it. Once found they ran across the start line, tagged the next teammate who drew another piece of equipment and ran to the truck. Each teammate found 3 items totaling 12 pieces of equipment found.
Mummy Sling and Swath - Teams choose 1 member to be mummy wrapped. Teams raced to bandage their mummy from head to toe and immobilize their injured arm using a SAM Splint and a Sling and Swath.
Last but not least was my event, the Spider Strap Stretcher Race. First teams chose one teammate to be the patient. When the referee said "GO!", teams raced to immobilize their teammate on a backboard using the appropriately sized cervical collar, spider straps and head blocks. Once immobilized, the patient was moved to the stretcher and maneuvered through and cones course across the finish line.
Teams had a great time putting their skills to the test. The winning team was Team 3, which was made up of Jason L., Tyler L., Jim A., Morgan D., and Karen J. from Essex Junction Fire with a combined time of 16 minutes 51 seconds.
Tyler and Karen from the winning Team 3 Mummy Wrap their teammate Jim
Teams 5 and 6 listen to Referee Butkus explain the Rig Check Equipment Frenzy
Sarah's Superstar's (Team 7) rocks through their puzzle to have the best time of the night!
Ernie and Dan modeling their PPE.
Referees Lapierre and Stewart rocking their stripes :)
Team 1Y4Y backboarding their patient at the Spider Strap Stretcher Race.
