VIDEO/PHOTOS: Some of San Diego County’s next generation of first-responders spent Thursday training for pediatric emergency treatments. “They’re small, they’re innocent,” said Freddy Avila, a Palomar College EMT student. “Seeing a sick baby is pretty traumatizing. Time matters on those calls, so learning tips from professionals who work with kids all day is really beneficial.”
Avila is one of more than 40 students who attended an annual day of training hosted by Rady Children’s Hospital. The event provided hands-on pediatric emergency training, including IV insertion, airway management, neonatal resuscitation and newborn care. Rebeca Sibley has been in emergency medicine for more than 20 years. She’s one of Rady’s nurse supervisors who teach students. “Paramedics are using the I.O. drills before they get the child to us in the emergency room,” Sibley said. “Sometimes, allowing them to do CPR, and then we can continue administering medications because of their work.”
Rady Children’s Hospital has partnered with Palomar College for the past 10 years. During that time, the hospital reports, more than 2,000 EMT and future paramedic students have received training for pediatric emergencies. Rady’s has also trained EMTs for local ambulance companies, as well as students from San Diego State University, Southwestern College and Cal State University San Marcos.
