Emergency services train for incidents in busy nightclubs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 21:02 · Archive

Edinburgh emergency services have trained at a nightclub-style venue to prepare for medical incidents in busy venues.

The Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service recently conducted a major training exercise at The Three Sisters bar in Edinburgh's Cowgate, working through simulated resuscitation scenarios in conditions that reflect real nightclub environments.

Teams worked through progressively challenging scenarios including darkness, loud music, theatrical haze, flashing lights, limited working space, and bystanders arriving at different stages. The exercise was developed by members of Edinburgh's Resuscitation Rapid Response Unit, with support from Street Assist, a charity involved in nightlife safety.

Steve Reiffer, an Edinburgh paramedic and one of the organisers, said: 'Cardiac arrests do not wait for quiet, well-lit conditions.' He explained that teams deliberately worked without the option to control the environment by turning off music and lights, which would normally happen at a real incident. This approach provides 'stress inoculation', making teams better prepared when they cannot control the scene.

Robin Jeffrey, Area Service Manager for the Scottish Ambulance Service, said the training strengthens relationships between services working across Edinburgh's night-time economy every weekend and helps teams 'better prepared, more confident and more resilient when faced with high-pressure situations'.

How it is being reported

• Emergency services' Edinburgh training exercise held to prepare for nightclub incidentsEmergency services come together for training session in the CowgateEdinburgh Evening News · 26 Oct, 20:40
• Edinburgh bar used to train emergency services for incidents in busy nightclubs'Cardiac arrests do not wait for quiet, well-lit conditions.'Edinburgh Live · 26 Oct, 20:24

In this story: Scottish Ambulance Service · Scottish Fire and Rescue Service · The Three Sisters · Edinburgh · Resuscitation Rapid Response Unit · Steve Reiffer · Robin Jeffrey

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