Volunteer firemen work to pry open a car door so EMT trainees can reach "victims" trapped inside. [Click to enlarge]

Students training to be emergency medical technicians and first responders at Dyersburg State were joined by rescue-squad members and volunteer firemen Saturday so they could get a taste of what the professionals often describe as "on-the-job terror" -- dealing with car-crash trauma victims.

Old cars were brought to the college's gymnasium parking lot and volunteers were doctored with imitation blood to mimic a variety of auto-crash scenarios. Even a medical helicopter landed on the lot to provide trainees with practical instruction on how to quickly and safely evacuate injured victims.

Jack Santos, an EMT instructor from Middleton, said the class began in August and will finish May 1. Graduates who pass the coursework and exam will be licensed by the state to work at fire departments, ambulance services and hospitals.

Students training to be emergency medical technicians and first responders at Dyersburg State are addressed by an instructor in the course, Ricky Gatlin, who is director of the Dyer County Rescue Squad, prior to the training exercise. [Click to enlarge]

"Trauma is a regular part of the experience," Santos said. "A lot of people don't know what happens at the scene of an accident. "

Santos described this as an exercise in Emergency Vehicle Rescue. He said the key to survival for the victims was often how quickly EMTs could reach them and begin treating the injuries. That demanded coordination with firemen and rescue-squad members who were usually first on the scene.

The exercise included such practical scenarios as a single-car accident, an auto turned onto its back, and a multiple-car pileup, all with injuries, some serious.

Louis Baden of Ripley reaches through a shattered back-seat window and, along with his partner, Jeff Love of Humboldt, attempts to help Kristy King of Newbern, who plays the part of an unconscious auto-crash victim. [Click to enlarge]

The students practiced extrication of injured passengers from a wrecked vehicle, trauma care, safe operations at a crash site and were given demonstrations on how to stabilize vehicles and use the Jaws of Life.

Brent Hill, at left, and Justin Crawford, both of Dyersburg, demonstrate how to attach a medical collar that protects the neck. Julie Pickens of Ripley acts as the patient. [Click to enlarge]