Paramedics advance emergency pediatric skills with materials from pork industry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) —  On Friday, 36 paramedics from around the state visited Lexington’s Fire Training Center to advance their skills in emergency care for children.

The course  was designed by the Indiana-based medical education company called Pedi-Ed-Trics Emergency Medical Solutions, LLC.

According to Kentucky Emergency Medical Services for Children — children make up a small percentage of patients treated and transported by paramedics.

Instructors tell ABC 36 practicing on mannequins and dummies limit medics from learning extensive skills for critical emergencies involving children.

The company provides hands-on training through the course that uses pigs, chickens and other materials from the pork industry.

Pedi-Ed-Trics founder, Lisa DeBoer says using the animals are most practical because their anatomy is similar to that of humans.

DeBoer says all of the animals used during the classes are either material that would be discarded or turned into dog food.