Camp Counselors Gearing Up For Camp

By Tanjua Damon

Beginning July 9 there will be a lot of hustle and bustle at the two town parks as the Parks and Recreation Summer Camp programs get under way. Camp counselors spent some time in an orientation program June 28 to get ready for the influx of youngsters.

Almost 60 camp counselors attended the orientation at Treadwell Park where they learned some helpful first aid tips from members of the Newtown Ambulance Corps and the rules and regulations of camp.

Ambulance members went over basic first aid skills with the counselors, stressing to them in an emergency it is important to call 911 so that the ambulance can be on the way while the counselors are tending to the patient initially.

“Recognize an emergency using your senses,” Susan Cameron said. “Whatever needs to be done, just start the process rolling. What you need to do is get 911 activated. You can do certain things, but we need to be on the road.”

Safety should always be first. Having a pair of gloves available at all times in an important step to remaining safe.

“The most important thing is your safety,” Ms Cameron said. “Scene safety is your safety.”

If a person is unconscious or not breathing, the counselors have to open an airway for the patient or do ABC, according to Ms Cameron: open Airway, see if Breathing, and Check for a pulse. Patients should never be left alone lying on their backs. They need to be put in the recovery position, lying on their side.

Camp counselors were reminded that they should not do CPR unless they have a mask.

Counselors also need to be able to get as much information from the victim as possible, such as what happened, what kinds of allergies they may have, and how they feel, to give to the paramedics when they arrive.

“The more information you can write down and supply to us the better,” Ms Cameron said. “You have to be inquisitive and ask lots of questions.”

With the summer expected to be fairly dry and warm, heat emergencies were also addressed. There are three types of heat emergencies: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.

With heat cramps, the victim should be moved to the shade and given a small amount of water, according to Ken Lerman. If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, they will be cool because they are perspiring. The person may also feel dizzy and will be sweating.

With heat exhaustion, the person needs to be cooled off gradually. Also give them fluids a little at a time. This may be a case when 911 will need to be called.

A person having heat stroke will probably have dry skin and may be delirious, Mr Lerman said. They may collapse because their internal thermostat is out of control. 911 needs to be called and the person needs to be cooled down by putting ice packs under their arm pits, groin area, and belly. The person should be put in the recovery position in case of vomiting.

Liz Cain reminded the group to never touch someone who is bleeding without gloves. She also told the counselors that parents would need to be notified as well when 911 is called.

Parks and Recreation Summer Camp begins July 9 and will go until August 17. For more information contact 270-4340.