R7 HCC Hosts Advanced Disaster Life Support | May 19-20, 2016

​On May 19 and 20, 2016 Region 7 Healthcare Coalition hosted Advanced Disaster Life Support training at the Northwest Michigan Fairgrounds. Looking to branch out and accommodate more partners, this was the first time Region 7 has hosted ADLS in Traverse City. The turnout was great! A variety of participants came from within and outside of Region 7. Attendance included, but was not limited to, Physicians & Physician assistants, Registered or licensed practical nurses, Paramedics or EMTs, Firefighters and Public Safety, and Public health professionals.

During the two-day course, participants received lectured and hands on training. The training is focused on developing hands-on skills which enables participants to apply the information they learned in BDLS. During the hands on training, participants work with mannequins and volunteers portraying victims. The interactive scenarios and drills are meant to be life like to give students a real world experience.

This hands on training takes place on the second day of the course via 4 skills stations. Each skills station covers material students learned on the previous day. Students rotated through Mass Triage, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Decontamination, Disaster Skills, and Human Patient Simulator as pictured and described below.

MASS Triage™ ‐This challenging station allows the students to practice the concepts of the disaster paradigm with an emphasis on patient triage. Simulated disaster victims must be triaged and treated correctly while attempting to manage a chaotic scene and request appropriate resources.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Decontamination ‐ This station teaches important concepts about the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination technique. Students are given the opportunity to wear PPE and participate in a simulated decontamination while attempting to render medical care.

Disaster Skills ‐ This station teaches information about vital skills necessary for medical disaster management.

Human Patient Simulator ‐ Recognition of victims of a chemical and biological disaster is paramount. This station is designed to reinforce the detection and proper treatment of conditions that may occur during disasters that we do not normally treat. Treatment of chemical, biological, and traumatic patients is covered. The use of high fidelity human patient simulators allows the student to see, hear, and feel information that would normally be provided by an instructor, creating a more realistic experience than standard mannequins can provide.

Advanced Disaster Life Support is a free 2-day course offered annually by Region 7 Healthcare Coalition based on need and interest. Participants who successfully complete the course receive 14 MDHHS EMS CEUs. Re-certification is necessary every 3 years.
If you or someone you know is interested in participating in either Basic Disaster Life Support or Advanced Disaster Life Support this year, please sign up for our newsletter to be notified of upcoming course offerings.