Rice EMS students get up-close look at real-life tools

Rice Emergency Medical Services (REMS) welcomed a PHI Air Medical air ambulance to campus last weekend as part of REMS’ Extrication Day for students of Rice’s emergency medical technician class. The day, which also includes scenarios in which the EMT students must treat “patients” — volunteers assigned various injuries or afflictions — aims to put EMT students to the test to see where their knowledge and skills stand.

The medical helicopter landed in the Greenbriar Lot and gave students the opportunity to get an up-close view of the chopper and learn about the training and experience needed to serve in the field of air medical services. The group of students also saw the Northwest Volunteer Fire Company demonstrate how they use the Jaws of Life to rescue people from cars.

In front of the air ambulance are, from left, REMS members Patrick McCarthy, Teresa Lin, Christopher Leba, Jesse Passman, Krystha Cantu and Amol Utrankar. Below, manning the Jaws of Life, is Rice alumnus and active REMS member Ian Feldman ’09, who is the central regional coordinator of the National Collegiate EMS Foundation.