Volusia County, Arnold Palmer Hospital Plan Pediatric Drowning Simulations

Posted On: April 24, 2025

Consider this scenario: Volusia County lifeguards pull a nonresponsive child from the surf. What happens next may determine whether the child lives or dies.

First responders will be put to the test when they respond to three back-to-back training scenarios, which are being coordinated by Volusia County Emergency Medical Administration and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children on Friday, May 2, in Daytona Beach Shores.

Responding agencies will include Volusia County's Beach Safety, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and Coastal divisions, along with the Volusia Sheriff's Office, Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety, the Ponce Inlet and Port Orange fire departments, Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange, and the Orlando Health Air Care Team. Physicians and staff from Arnold Palmer Hospital will monitor each team's progress.

Participants will hold a media briefing at 8 a.m. at Edwin W. Peck Sr. Park, 3167 S. Atlantic Ave., where they will describe the scenarios and discuss the need for parents to practice water safety and drowning prevention.

Each of the three scenarios will begin on the beach, where Beach Safety and paramedics will provide initial care. The "patient" will be transferred to Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange, where he will be treated in the emergency department and then flown to Arnold Palmer Hospital.

Simulation 1 will begin at 9 a.m. with Volusia County EMS and Daytona Beach Shores Public Safety, followed by Simulation 2 with the Ponce Inlet Fire Department at 10:30 a.m. and Simulation 3 with the Port Orange Fire Department at 12:15 p.m.

Hospitals routinely conduct emergency training exercises to practice and refine their emergency response plans and procedures.

"These exercises help staff understand their roles, test communication protocols, and ensure efficient response during actual emergencies," explained Volusia County Medical Director Jessica Gershen, M.D. "We asked Arnold Palmer Hospital to work with us on this simulation because it's the only level one trauma center for children in Central Florida."