RRHS students become First Responders

Ken Johnston

If there is a medical emergency at Rainy River High School they now have students trained to respond.
Eight RRHS students, Tristan Shumaker, Kaylee Lundgren, Shauna Lundgren, Patricia O’Connor, Matt Sawatzky, Brandon Gough, Hillary Hanson and Kevin Wiersema, all completed a new First Responders program on Sunday.
Taught by Emergency Medical Technicians Cheryl Morrisson and Cheryl Kallaste of Rainy River ambulance, under the guidance of John Beaton from Fort Frances, the students learned how to respond to a medical emergency in the school and wherever they happen to be. The local EMT’s volunteered their time to teach the students how to use splints, work with back boards, stop bleeding, work with oxygen, etc.
The course began last October and ran until this past Sunday. It began with 20 hours of learning from printed materials and has a minimum requirement of 20 hours of practical learning. “They actually did 50-60 hours each,” said Morrison.
The students also wrote a 100 question exam and all passed it. “I am very proud of them and what they have learned,” said Morrison.
This is the third program of its type in the area. Beaton said a class graduated at Fort Frances High School and Lac La Croix as well. They hope to offer it every year, creating many, many first responders that could make the difference in saving someone’s life before the EMT’s get there.
The school has also purchased an $800 medical kit for the school and may eventually with the help of organizations like the Legion get a full kit at a cost of $3,000 which would include a spine/back board.
Now that the students are qualified Red Cross First Responders, there will be two of them always on duty at the school at any given time through the school day.
While the program is not yet recognized as a credit course, the area EMT’s are lobbying the school board for that to happen. The students do however get eight hours towards their community service hours.
Beaton said the program is much more intense than the standard St. John’s Ambulance course. “It is like a step below us,” added Morrison.
Morrison said they hope to offer the program again next year at RRHS.