Helicopter Lands At Glenbard South High School

The students of Lisa Helle's advanced health class were treated to a special presentation Friday. 

While anxiously awaiting the arrival, students craned their necks to watch as the day's presentation landed in the middle of a baseball field.  

Every Friday students in Helle's class get to hear from medical professionals. This week the students were able to ask a hospital helicopter flight crew questions and some even stepped on board to experience life in the air as a medic.  

"It's amazing," said GBS senior Christina Murzyn of the presentation. "It exposes you to everything in the medical field." 

Before Friday's demonstration students listened to Scott Hagemann, an EMT with Lifestar Chicago, explain in detail life as part of the helicopter crew.  

"You talk about adrenaline rush, this is the best adrenaline rush you'll ever have," said Hagemann. 

During the class presentation, Hagemann described an average day in the life of a flight EMT. Typically, the crew works in 24-hour spans and can be airborne at a moment's notice. With the help of some graphic pictures, Hagemann described how demanding the job can be and how the crew has to regularly think outside the box to rescue lives while in the air. 

"You guys are going to take care of me someday," said Hagemann. That's why he and his crew fly into schools, to expose kids interested in the medical to life as a flight nurse.

This advanced health class is all about opening up possibilities for the students. In previous Friday presentations, students have heard from ER doctors, pediatric nurses, acupuncture specialists and pharmacists. 

"I think it's a unique opportunity to be able to talk to these people," said Helle. "How many kids get to see this?"

Helle says opportunities like this give students a chance to think about life after Glenbard South. For some students it was their first time seeing this profession up close. 

"It's a privilege to be here," said junior Emerald Martin." "It's a really nice thing to see."