LIFE STAR, a critical care helicopter service that responds to and provides air transport for a variety of patients who require care at a tertiary care facility, descended on Quinnipiac’s rugby field to conclude Wellness Week. The emergency response team taught students about emergency medical response. 

Watch an Instagram Reel of the visit

Students also had the opportunity to tour the helicopter and took part in CPR and Stop the Bleed education provided by Hartford HealthCare’s Emergency Medical Services and Quinnipiac’s Student EMS.

In addition to LIFE STAR crew members, students and faculty from the School of Nursing also participated Friday, as did representatives from the university’s Department of Public Safety, the Hamden Fire Department and Hunter’s Ambulance.

Pina Violano, visiting assistant professor of nursing and director of community engagement, and her nursing students demonstrated skills such as controlling bleeding and the proper application of a tourniquet.

“Unfortunately, with the way the world is, it is important to be prepared for an emergency,” Violano said.

Jordan Clark '22 said practice makes perfect when it comes to emergency preparedness.

“In a non-emergency situation, it is more relaxed, and you can take pauses,” she said. “It gives us room to make mistakes so we can fix those mistakes in a real emergency. It is a good idea for students to be able to be involved in Wellness Week activities because you never know when emergencies are going to happen.”

Earlier this week, the university hosted a competition where surgeons faced off against students in a pumpkin-carving competition. The week kicked off with an afternoon-long Fresh Check Day, that encouraged students to pursue a variety of mental health-focused activities.