The STARS Mobile Education Unit is appearing at the Lethbridge Airshow from July 29 to July 30, 2023. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

STARS’ Mobile Education Unit to be on site during Lethbridge International Airshow

Jul 28, 2023 | 1:11 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – With the Lethbridge International Airshow grabbing the attention of residents starting Saturday, July 29, 2023, STARS will be on site.

The Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, also known as STARS, will be showcasing its advanced critical care simulation training at the event. STARS’ Air Ambulance will also be in the air performing at the show.

Dave Allison, Clinical Operations Manager and Flight Paramedic at STARS said, “This [event] is special for us. We don’t get out as much with the general public, so this gives us that opportunity.”

The STARS Mobile Education Unit is an RV that provides critical training to STARS crews and other emergency care providers through the use of a human patient simulator. There are three vehicles in operation, and the program is the first of its kind in North America.

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The mannequin breathes, speaks, blinks and has reactive pupils, a heartbeat and a pulse. It also accurately mirrors human responses to medical treatments performed. The mannequin’s voice functions and simulated medical issues are controlled by a computer at the back of the RV.

STARS has other mannequins specialized for other scenarios, including one for pregnant women that can simulate the process of giving birth.

The program services rural communities in the province, and STARS has collaborations with multiple medical clinics in order to provide education for workers. Lethbridge’s Chinook Regional Hospital is one of those partners.

Allison said, “It’s definitely a mutual education training.”

“Sometimes we learn from them too, because a lot of times they are faced with different circumstances than we are. We need to work together and build on those skills.”

STARS will be at the airshow at the Lethbridge Airport both Saturday and Sunday.

READ MORE: Lethbridge International Airshow running July 29-30, volunteers needed

READ MORE: Temporary road closure announced for airshow in Lethbridge

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge issues safety reminders ahead of airshow

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