The Atlantic Beach Rescue Squad hosted their 12th annual EMS Water Safety and Rescue Training for EMS agencies, EMT’s, EMT-CC, fire departments, paramedics and rescue squads.
The Nassau County EMS Academy and the Nassau County Water Rescue Association co-sponsor the training. Topics of instruction include proper handling of an EMS patient during water related emergencies, self-rescue in water procedures for EMS and water safety and rescue operations for EMS and fire department personnel.
“Every year, Atlantic Beach is pleased to host this as we have the proper facilities,” said Nat Etrog, AB Rescue Squad member for 26 years.
The training brings together many fire department and rescue squads that have water divisions along with offering three credits for EMT’s, as they need recertification every three years.
This year, 25 participants from Long Island to NYC joined for the hands-on experience at Atlantic Beach Rescue Headquarters at 1 Rescue Road, on Aug. 24.
“Many of the attendees are EMT’s and the critical component of this drill is that it’s introductory for those who don’t have as much water based training and it retrains EMT’s who may get involved with a water rescue,” Etrog said.
A lot of the skills were basic knowledge, how to rescue someone on a backboard in shallow water and how to get someone into a small boat safely while rescuing them.
“The newest component are jet skis, as they are popular in water rescues and we train the rescuer to get a victim onto the sled,” Etrog added. “The rescuer trains to safely put the victim on the sled and position themselves to hold the victim during travel to shore.”
Frank Scobbo, has been chair of the Nassau County Water Rescue Association for 14 years and their main focus is education and training for first responders in water rescue.
“We have partnered with Nassau County VEEB (vocational, educational & extension board) on the EMS side to educate first-responders,” Scobbo said. “We set up the teams, have the pamphlets, the training and the safety.”
Scobbo believes that August is the best time available for all of the attendees to participate and it coincides with hurricane season starting.
“Participation and attendance from all the different water teams, collaboration, communication and are most important,” he added. “Also, we are able to establish relationships with all the other teams and they have an opportunity to try out new gear.”
Kevin O’Hara,has serves as the deputy chief of the Nassau County EMS Academy for 40 years and is a volunteer paramedic/instructor over 50 years.
“We never had a water component in EMS so 12 years ago paired up with Atlantic Beach as they are one of our expert water safety first responders here in the county, and we started to put together a curriculum and training exercise for our EMS providers in Nassau County,” O’Hara said.
The training also serves as hands-on experience for EMT’s being apart of an active water rescue that have never experienced it before.
“There’s a need for it here being a Long Island waterfront community,” he said. “The most important part is the hands-on experience, most people read about what to do but the fact that they can go out a physically do it helps them figure out their capabilities.”
