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The leading cause of death and injury among young adults in the United States is trauma caused by motor vehicle accidents. Driving behaviors of young adults cause the majority of these accidents. Life on the streets takes on a whole new meaning when you’re a firefighter or paramedic. The streets are where crashes occur, where windshields are shattered, where injuries are violent and where lives are forever changed. And it’s these kinds of life-changing experiences that create the backdrop for a gripping program called Street Smart presented by a group called Stay Alive From Education.
Presented in a classroom setting, a team of two state-certified paramedics walk students through a trauma scene using the medical equipment they employ daily in their jobs. From taking a pulse to loading the victim onto a backboard to simulating an IV-line being inserted, students can see and feel what it’s like to try to save a life – and what it’s like to be the victim.
Featuring photos and descriptions of real-life trauma incidents, Street Smart is a no-holds-barred presentation that gets students involved. The paramedics lead a discussion on the importance of students making responsible decisions concerning their safety that compels them to participate. It’s not a lecture – it’s a real-life view of their options.
Street Smart is aimed at the under-26 age group but everyone is encouraged to attend. Three sessions will be held at the Nightingale Theater at 8 a.m, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for active-duty personnel on Sept. 25, 26, and 27. An evening class for family members, primarily focusing on driving-age teens, is also offered at 5 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Hercules Theater. (Courtesy of the 435th Air Base Wing)
