By Raeanne Raccagno
Copy Editor
Representatives from the College’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Medical Services informed and demonstrated emergency situations to the room before the Student Government general body discussed bills and resolutions on March 5.
Recently, the College’s Facilities team started giving familiarization training sessions with the tools after taking suggestions from SG’s Oct. 23 general body meeting. Alexander Brenner, an EMS member and training captain at the College, gave a presentation on AEDs, Narcan and Stop the Bleed kits.
In his short presentation, Brenner stressed the importance of these devices and having the knowledge to address a medical emergency.
“On average, the out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivability rate is less than 10%,” Brenner said. “However, there is a review study done that showed that medical layperson, bystander CPR where an AED was used and defibrillated, there is a median survivability of 53%.”
Every building and athletic field has an AED and Stop the Bleed kit, but outside spaces do not have Narcan due to the temperature fluctuations causing chemical instability. Brenner also said that AEDs are made for those not medically educated because they will articulate the steps to the user.
While covering Narcan, Brenner said how the reverse opioid overdose medication “is not life-saving” and how it’s important to call 911 or the campus police line.
He explained that the respiratory rate during an overdose is decreased, and the body will not be providing oxygen properly, so someone will be barely breathing or not breathing while also being very pale with a blue face, lips or extremities.
Students can take a 20-minute state college training for Narcan, take a picture of their certificate and present it to Student Health Services to get two free naloxone doses.
Brenner then discussed Stop the Bleed kits, which have a tourniquet, sharpie, gloves, compact trauma bandage and an instruction pamphlet.
Before explaining how to use the tourniquet, Brenner addressed a common belief that applying a tourniquet means you will lose the limb, which he claims is somewhat false. He said the tourniquet could be on for two to three hours before permanent tissue damage occurs. The sharpie in the kit also marks the time on the tourniquet when it was applied.
The training captain also highlighted the importance of wearing gloves while helping someone bleeding out.
“Whenever you're helping someone, you need to make sure you don't get injured yourself or harmed or sick or whatever,” Brenner said. “Because if you get injured, then you can't help that person.”
After explaining all the instruments to the general body, Brenner then invited students to come up to the front of the room to try the training devices out themselves. Robert O’Keefe, a fire safety specialist, and Andrew Iannaccone, a campus police officer, also helped out with instructing.
When students were practicing with the tourniquet, they were surprised at how compressed the contraption gets. Brenner illustrated how it will cause discomfort to the injured person, but said how being in pain from the tightness is better than dying from bleeding out.
While practicing CPR, students encouraged each other by singing “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, a song known for having the beat at which CPR should be performed.
“I thought TCNJ EMS did an amazing job with an approachable, hands on, educational, and (above all) potentially life saving presentation,” said Eitan Halevi, student governments vice president for advancement, in a text message to the Signal. “I encourage all students to engage with the many trainings that they host. Though we should always hope for the best, you never know when you might need it.”
