Dundee students experience ‘mock trauma’

Dundee students experience ‘mock trauma’
Organizers of the “mock trauma” staged at Dundee High School on Friday, April 30, hope the fake accident will help students decide not to drink and drive, or not to ride with a driver who has been drinking, this prom and graduation season.

The event was staged at the high school football field.

It took a lot of people and organizations to bring about the special assembly. Starlight Music Productions provided the sound system, including a microphone inside the car, so students in the football stands could hear students moaning and screaming inside the “wrecked” car, and hear the firemen helping them.

Owen Auto Parts of Maybee provided the car, and a wrecker service to tow away the car at the close of the event.

Dundee Township Volunteer Fire Department members extricated the victims from the vehicle and provided first aid. Ambulances from LCA and Hart responded to the call, as did the Life Flight Air Ambulance. Tim Duncan of Life Flight was the narrator.

Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the call, and Capaul Funeral Home added a somber note as the body of one victim was taken away in the hearse.

Dundee Community Schools’ SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) group provided the victims and helped organize the event with the assistance of advisor Michelle Ratliff.

Dundee Truck and Trim helped with the fire department’s training for the event the Sunday before.
“Victims” were driver Justin Heisler, whose character was driving the car. In the storyline, he lives. Libby Black was the student who died; her body went through the windshield of the car. Melissa Karner’s character was riding in the back seat without a seatbelt, and was paralyzed. Josh Motylinski’s character also was in the back seat without a seat belt and was critically injured, and transported via Life Flight to a hospital. All the students were dressed for the prom.

“The idea is that we present this once every four years,” said Emily Wells, a student member of the SADD group. “It was a lot of work to get all the people together, and choose the music and poems, and set up the specifics.”

The sound system played “Tears of Heaven” as the student body was seated in the bleachers. The scene was set for the students.

They were told that there is a “golden hour” following a trauma accident, in which patients must receive adequate medical attention in order to have the best chance at a positive outcome. The clock started ticking.
Then, they heard the tape of a 911 call reporting the accident. Students were told what happens during the fractions of a second, when an accident occurs. When the car slammed into the “tree,” the passengers continued to move forward at 55 mph— resulting in 20 times the normal force of gravity, so it is as if their bodies weighed 3,200 pounds, causing extreme physical injuries.

Statistics included that in accidents involving drivers age 18, for every eight drivers who are killed, 18 passengers die.

In real time, the students watch the rescue personnel arrive and deal with the victims, and use the Jaws of Life to cut open the car, so the victims could be removed. The helicopter was called. Students in the stands could hear the victims screaming, and asking, “Where’s Libby?”

All the medical procedures were described to students, including stabilizing the victims’ backs, inserting needles and so on. The medical procedures that would take place in the emergency room also were described.

Every effort was made to make the events as realistic as possible.

Melissa Karner’s real-life mom, Laura, arrived on the scene to comfort her daughter on the stretcher.

“I was a nervous wreck. Even though I knew it was coming, it caught me off-guard. My hands were shaking,” said Mrs. Karner. “I hope I never have to go through this for real.”

Students were asked to remember that if they are in an accident, it’s not only them that would be hurt, but also their families.

As the Life Flight helicopter arrived to take Josh to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, the “golden hour” clock read 42:40. Actually, as he was loaded into the helicopter, he was quickly bundled into a fireman’s jacket and coat and went out the other side.

During the time that the victims were being loaded into the emergency vehicles, poems expressing their thoughts were played for the students in the stands.

As the hearse drove away, and the wrecker arrived to take the car, students in the stands were asked what they thought of the experience.

“It really touched me,” said Nicole Steger. “Like, I know not to drink and drive. It got me thinking not to do it. Looking at all my peers, it really hit me.”

Nikki Stevens said, “I think it was sad. Seeing our friends go out on stretchers.”

Sheila Hall said, “I thought it was sad. When they read the poems, how they felt, it really touched me. It scares me and makes me not want to go in my car. I didn’t like the hearse.”

“It makes you think,” said Greg Eaton. “It was kind of scary. You think what might happen. The part with Melissa’s mom was the worst part.”

Frank Tomcsik said, “It was good. It was shocking what they had to go through. I already wear a seatbelt.”

Mike Vangel wasn’t impressed. “It was kind of boring. There were too many big pauses.”

Sarah Cooley said, “It was cool. It makes you think how stupid people can be to drink and drive. It was better than any other assembly we’ve had.”

Eric Hurst said, “It was informative. I didn’t know your knees would be buckled in and that you would weigh 3,000 pounds at that speed. I know a few people who drink and drive, but I’m not going to say their names.”

Wally Bennett said, “It was pretty cool. I learned don’t drink and drive. I’ve already been in an accident that rolled over six times, and I chipped my spine. I wear a seat belt.”

Kay Kerr said, “I thought it was awesome. I was scared. It made me cry, and think a lot about not getting in a car with a drunk driver.”


Dundee students experience ‘mock trauma’ Organizers of the “mock trauma” staged at Dundee High School on Friday, April 30, hope the fake accident will help students decide not to drink and drive, or not to ride with a driver who has been drinking, this prom and graduation season. The event was staged at the high school football field. It took a lot of people and organizations to bring about the special assembly. Starlight Music Productions provided the sound system, including a microphone inside the car, so students in the football stands could hear students moaning and screaming inside the “wrecked” car, and hear the firemen helping them. Owen Auto Parts of Maybee provided the car, and a wrecker service to tow away the car at the close of the event. Dundee Township Volunteer Fire Department members extricated the victims from the vehicle and provided first aid. Ambulances from LCA and Hart responded to the call, as did the Life Flight Air Ambulance. Tim Duncan of Life Flight was the narrator. Monroe County Sheriff’s deputies also responded to the call, and Capaul Funeral Home added a somber note as the body of one victim was taken away in the hearse. Dundee Community Schools’ SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) group provided the victims and helped organize the event with the assistance of advisor Michelle Ratliff. Dundee Truck and Trim helped with the fire department’s training for the event the Sunday before. “Victims” were driver Justin Heisler, whose character was driving the car. In the storyline, he lives. Libby Black was the student who died; her body went through the windshield of the car. Melissa Karner’s character was riding in the back seat without a seatbelt, and was paralyzed. Josh Motylinski’s character also was in the back seat without a seat belt and was critically injured, and transported via Life Flight to a hospital. All the students were dressed for the prom. “The idea is that we present this once every four years,” said Emily Wells, a student member of the SADD group. “It was a lot of work to get all the people together, and choose the music and poems, and set up the specifics.” The sound system played “Tears of Heaven” as the student body was seated in the bleachers. The scene was set for the students. They were told that there is a “golden hour” following a trauma accident, in which patients must receive adequate medical attention in order to have the best chance at a positive outcome. The clock started ticking. Then, they heard the tape of a 911 call reporting the accident. Students were told what happens during the fractions of a second, when an accident occurs. When the car slammed into the “tree,” the passengers continued to move forward at 55 mph— resulting in 20 times the normal force of gravity, so it is as if their bodies weighed 3,200 pounds, causing extreme physical injuries. Statistics included that in accidents involving drivers age 18, for every eight drivers who are killed, 18 passengers die. In real time, the students watch the rescue personnel arrive and deal with the victims, and use the Jaws of Life to cut open the car, so the victims could be removed. The helicopter was called. Students in the stands could hear the victims screaming, and asking, “Where’s Libby?” All the medical procedures were described to students, including stabilizing the victims’ backs, inserting needles and so on. The medical procedures that would take place in the emergency room also were described. Every effort was made to make the events as realistic as possible. Melissa Karner’s real-life mom, Laura, arrived on the scene to comfort her daughter on the stretcher. “I was a nervous wreck. Even though I knew it was coming, it caught me off-guard. My hands were shaking,” said Mrs. Karner. “I hope I never have to go through this for real.” Students were asked to remember that if they are in an accident, it’s not only them that would be hurt, but also their families. As the Life Flight helicopter arrived to take Josh to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, the “golden hour” clock read 42:40. Actually, as he was loaded into the helicopter, he was quickly bundled into a fireman’s jacket and coat and went out the other side. During the time that the victims were being loaded into the emergency vehicles, poems expressing their thoughts were played for the students in the stands. As the hearse drove away, and the wrecker arrived to take the car, students in the stands were asked what they thought of the experience. “It really touched me,” said Nicole Steger. “Like, I know not to drink and drive. It got me thinking not to do it. Looking at all my peers, it really hit me.” Nikki Stevens said, “I think it was sad. Seeing our friends go out on stretchers.” Sheila Hall said, “I thought it was sad. When they read the poems, how they felt, it really touched me. It scares me and makes me not want to go in my car. I didn’t like the hearse.” “It makes you think,” said Greg Eaton. “It was kind of scary. You think what might happen. The part with Melissa’s mom was the worst part.” Frank Tomcsik said, “It was good. It was shocking what they had to go through. I already wear a seatbelt.” Mike Vangel wasn’t impressed. “It was kind of boring. There were too many big pauses.” Sarah Cooley said, “It was cool. It makes you think how stupid people can be to drink and drive. It was better than any other assembly we’ve had.” Eric Hurst said, “It was informative. I didn’t know your knees would be buckled in and that you would weigh 3,000 pounds at that speed. I know a few people who drink and drive, but I’m not going to say their names.” Wally Bennett said, “It was pretty cool. I learned don’t drink and drive. I’ve already been in an accident that rolled over six times, and I chipped my spine. I wear a seat belt.” Kay Kerr said, “I thought it was awesome. I was scared. It made me cry, and think a lot about not getting in a car with a drunk driver.”
	Dundee Township Volunteer Fire Department members used the jaws of life to extricate the victims from the wrecked car during a mock trauma at at Dundee High School on Friday, April 30.

		The Life Flight helcipter from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, as part of the demonstration, which was timed to coincide with prom and gradutation party season.