Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. High school students enrolled in Del Mar College’s 2012 Public Safety Academy offered by the Department of Public Safety Education learned the mechanics of saving a life. Using Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) after a fire rescue, campers learned how to count chest compressions and administer oxygen to mannequins while a CPR instructor gave instructions. 

On Thursday, July 26, the campers put what they’ve learned over the past three weeks to the test during a simulated rescue.

The fire rescue and CPR exercise was just one of several different activities designed to challenge this year’s academy participants. The summer program consisted of afternoon sessions that began July 9.

“The Summer Public Safety Academy educates and gives campers insight into the public safety sector,” says Patrick McBride, DMC Emergency Medical Technology Instructor and Public Safety Academy Director. “They learn how important public safety is to our community. Campers learn how important it is to make good life choices, along with engaging in physical fitness and team leadership while forming special bonds with other participants.” 

The 49 students represent John Paul, West Oso, Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi College Prep, Collegiate and Corpus Christi high schools as well as South Park Middle School, Richard Milburn Academy, Skidmore-Tynan High School, London ISD and Bishop High School. 

During the camp, participants were also introduced to basic first aid, including CPR, and were briefed about fire behavior, rappelling and the utilization of a self-contained breathing apparatus. Other mini courses encompassed Crime Scene Investigation exercises, better known as “CSI,” and students were introduced to the College’s weapons simulator.

IN THE PICTURE: Public Safety Academy campers perform CPR after rescuing a fire victim during a simulation performed in the Public Safety Education Department’s burn tower.