STARS brings Emergency Medical Education Unit to Pincher Creek

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Stan the $200,000 man never
has a good day.
C. Davis photos

The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society (STARS) Emergency Medical Education Unit was in Pincher Creek on Monday, May 29, bringing the critical care transport medicine education program to approximately 20 local EMS and EMT personnel.  STARS Mobile Simulation Lead Dave Allison (who is also a paramedic in Calgary) and Medical Education Unit "Stan" were onboard.  Stan is utilised as a realistic patient.  'He' speaks, breathes with lungs that simulate air exchange, his pupils react, he blinks, he has an anatomically correct airway, a pulse, and he can exhibit a number of symptoms that emergency personnel can be challenged by and can learn from.

Lynn Brasnett, "Stan", Dave Allison, and Pat Neumann
inside the STARS Emergency Medical Education Unit
C. Davis photo

"Our purpose is to go out to smaller communites to provide further education or to refresh or revisit some of the education that may not have been touched on or that need to be reviewed," Allison said. "our goal is to try to bring some of the sickest patients that EMS providers or hospital providers will see or seldom see and refresh their knowledge."  Allison explained that this particular STARS mobile training unit serves southern Alberta, with another one based out of Edmonton serving northern Alberta.  "We typically get out about 5 times a month throughout southern Alberta."

STARS Emergency Medical Education Unit

A reminder: CPR saves lives.  An estimated half-dozen people in the Pincher Creek area  who have received it over the last couple of years are alive today due to the educated quick responses of others.  Often it is a family member that has been the person on the spot who has made the difference between life and death for a loved one.