By: Poorvi Roopesh

This year, healthcare students were swept into the chaos of Save A Life. On Friday, March 28th, Innovation Academy’s Health Science students participated in Save A Life, a disaster drill where everyone had a role to carry out during this stressful time. This year, the drill’s theme was a tornado disaster that caused many casualties outside the school. Thanks to all the teachers and Health Science students, we had a fun and immersive experience participating during this Flex Friday. We were also very grateful to have professionals come in to help us truly learn how to act during a mass-casualty disaster, such as a tornado. The Health Science teachers not only designed the day but also set up the school in preparation for Save A Life. As future healthcare professionals, we may come across a natural disaster, and disaster preparedness is essential in healthcare. Having the opportunity to participate in an immersive disaster drill simulating the aftermath of a tornado helped us envision what a real disaster is like.

Aroush Malik (12) ” I really enjoyed SAVE-A-LIFE this year I think this was one of our best years, the day was chaotic but a good chaotic!”

The day began with a group healthcare pathway meeting in the auditorium, where we were very lucky to have a keynote speaker. Then we broke into specialized morning workshops, where students trained for their assigned roles. With real professionals present at many of the workshops, we created plans for how we wanted to effectively help patients. Students prepared to take on roles such as first responders, search and rescue teams, dispatchers, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, hospital leadership, logistics and transport staff, decontamination teams, social workers, security personnel, and patients.

In the afternoon, the tornado drill was in action. Students took the field as injured patients while first responders triaged and transported them into the hospital, where nurses, attending physicians, and specialty physicians assessed traumatic injuries, ordered imaging and lab work, prescribed medications, and coordinated consultants to determine the best treatment plans. This year’s drill featured patients with disaster-related injuries, including crush injuries, fractures, head trauma, and other open injuries. At the end of the event students sat down with their teams and had taken the time to give feedback so we can have a even more sucessful SAVE-A-LIFE next year.

Divija Nath (12) “I was part of hospital coordination, and I actually liked the organization this time I think it was well put together. My only feedback is that, even though it went a lot better than last year, there were just so many people to check in and manage. Because of that, I feel like responsibilities could be delegated more effectively across the divisions. Overall, I think I enjoyed it more this time!”

Save A Life wasn’t just a simulated disaster event, it was a day students got to work together, learn, and have fun. Even amongst the chaos, many people had a great time, and it’s safe to say our healthcare students truly enjoyed the experience.