Helping to train first-year Paramedic Science students at Hazard Alley

Last year, Oli took part in a simulation day at 'Hazard Alley' as part of his Paramedic Science degree. This year, he went back to help train the new cohort of first-years.

At the start of the second semester of their first year, all Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) students go for a simulation day at 'Hazard Alley', in groups over the course of a week. Read about my experiences at Hazard Alley as a first-year student.

Returning to the scene

Of course, for this to take place, the University needs some mock patients for the first-years to treat, and this is where second-year students came in to the picture.

Having been through Hazard Alley as first-year students last year, many of my cohort were willing to come and help out over the week, playing various patient presentations.

Over the week I was a cyclist hit by a car, someone who fell from a railway bridge, a stabbing victim, a confused elderly man, and more.

A different point of view

It was good fun to see the event from the instructors' side (much less stressful than being the crew last year!), seeing the progress the first-years have made, and providing feedback to reflect on prior to them starting on the road in a couple of months' time.

The scenarios this year were highly realistic, complete with simulated wounds and gunshots being fired in the major incident scenarios.

The week was also beneficial for me, seeing both good and bad aspects of the first years' practice and reflecting on how I would respond to that situation if I were the attending paramedic.

Oliver studies Paramedic Science at ARU in Cambridge. Find out more about this and other degree courses at one of our Open Days.