It's better to be prepared then unprepared in an emergency situation
Emergencies can happen in a blink of an eye and sometimes those around an injured victim need to step in before first responders can make it to the scene.
Just recently we saw an example of this. Last weekend three men jumped into Lake Travis to save a woman who was drowning. The Atomic Legion held a response training trauma course to better equip those with skills they can use in a crisis.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere and at any time.
For Megan Anderson an emergency struck four years ago while she and her friends were on the water. "There was a time when I was actually paddling boarding and a guy had jumped into the water and Town Lake is real dangerous it has trash underwater parts of homes because of the floods and a guy jumped and a rod went through his knee," said Anderson.
She was able to apply some basic first aid training skills to help the swimmer.
However, Anderson said the experience made her realize that she needed more training.
"I probably didn't do the best job that I could have right I had never taken a class at that time. I knew what I saw on television. To actually learn those skill sets there was a situation that engaged me in that," said Anderson.
Sunday afternoon Anderson along with dozens of people joined in on a six hour Atomic Legion Response Training Trauma course. The course is designed to teach those with little or no experience. Students covered material specific to trauma through a combination of classroom presentations and hands on training. They also practiced techniques like how to properly apply a tourniquet.
"The thing is we hope it never happens and there is a good chance it will never but routinely we see it happening again and again. Whether it's an active shooter, an accident doing a recreational activity on the lake," said Jake Saenz. "It's better to be prepared then unprepared."
On top of being an Atomic Legion Instructor, Justin Hurzeler has worked as a 911 paramedic for Williamson County for over five years. He said he hears stories just like Anderson's often.
Hurzeler said a person trained in basic emergency response are the first and most crucial link in the emergency medical service system. "We talk about what you can say when you call 911 which most people don't' even know what to say. You can learn simple skills that can be applied quickly and potentially save lives before first responders ever get there," said Hurzeler.
He said being prepared can help save a life and in an ideal world, everyone would be prepared to respond to any emergency appropriately.
"A student that came to this class and the following week happened to be in a social environment when a young lady had a seizure. He was able to assist her and keep her airway open. He was able to spend 15 minutes helping this lady before emergency responders could get there," said Hurzeler.
Saenz said you'll never know when you'll find yourself in an emergency of your own.
"If you foster the idea that we take care of each other if something happens to you hopefully there will be the skill set and experience and training to provide aid to you," said Saenz.