Drill prepares first responders to deal with heat-related illnesses

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – On Wednesday, OhioHealth and the Columbus Division of Fire performed a special training simulation to prepare first responders on how to help someone suffering from a heat-related illness.   

In the simulation, the first responders had to figure out how to lower the body temperature of the victim and save their life, all while communicating effectively with each other. Robert Lowe, medical director for the Columbus Division of Fire knows the importance of these training sessions.  

"It's always a chance to expand that knowledge, kind of what each other's expertise is,” Lowe said. “What are the questions we have and how do we solve those among ourselves?"    

The OhioHealth simulation team is working with the Columbus Division of Fire and OhioHealth Sports Medicine Center. All training for when they encounter someone facing heat exhaustion. Dr. Brad Gabel, the system medical director of simulation for OhioHealth, pretended to be a runner showing signs of how he was affected by the heat.  

"A lot of the marathons and sporting events are coming up, and we want to make sure that all of our health care providers, whether it's first responders or sports medicine fellows, you know, physicians, you know, athletic trainers, they're all prepared to deal

 with heat illness and heat emergencies,” Gabel said.  

In the simulation, the first responders learned the best way to help a victim overheating. Dr. Ben Bring, a physician with OhioHealth, explained to the first responders that an ice bath is the best way to go.

"The best way to cool these patients' off is to get them into what's called a cold tub immersion,” Bring said. “So, we put them in a big tub of water that's nice and soupy with some ice, and we stir it up and we kind of monitor their vitals and their core body temperature."   

All three participating agencies believe it is important to continue these simulations to ensure the safety of the community and to help each other grow in different areas.  

“Rehearsing from year to year lets us stay up to date on the most current medical aspects, as well as involve any new providers in the system,” Lowe said. “Just all of those aspects coming together to make sure we're operating finely tuned and with the latest, greatest information.”   

Doctors said it was important to do this since the Grandview Yard Half Marathon is coming up in August and they want their teams to be ready to handle any heat illness.