Orlando firefighter/paramedic Scott Neusch puts student Joe Hall through a mock demonstration of what he would go through while paramedics tried to save his life in the event of an accident during a "Street Smart" program presented by Stay Alive from Education (SAFE) at Pontiac Township High School Tuesday afternoon.

Students at Pontiac Township High School received an in-depth, eye-opening reminder of the dangers of making bad choices behind the wheel of a vehicle during a "Street Smart" program presented by Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E.) Tuesday.

Chris Stocks and Scott Neusch fire fighters and paramedics with the City of Orlando Fire Department presented three sessions in the PTHS auditorium that illustrated the necessity of making sound decisions on the road.

The program is directed toward high school and college students to "take young adults into the real-life drama experienced by firefighter/paramedics as they work to save the lives of youth who have made poor choices when it comes to drinking or using drugs and the non-compliance of seat belts," states the organization's Web site, www.safeprogram.com.

Stocks and Neusch presented a graphic slide show featuring actual photos and descriptions of deadly trauma incidents to illustrate their point. It was viewing not for the light-hearted as victims and their automobiles were shown in the aftermath of an accident.

The pair discussed how accidents are much deadlier when victims do not properly restrain themselves and their passengers. One detail they brought up was the importance of all passengers wearing their seat belts to keep them from being thrown around and hitting others in the event of an accident. They noted that on numerous occasions fatalities could have been avoided if back seat passengers had been wearing their seat belts.

After the initial presentation the program then "walks students through what happens at a trauma scene using the medical equipment they employ daily in their jobs," states the Web site. "From taking a pulse, to loading the victim onto a backboard, to simulating an IV-line being inserted, students can see and feel what it's like to try to save a life."

During the presentation attended by a Daily Leader reporter student Joe Hall was chosen to participate in the walk-through demonstration. In the scenario, Hall attended a party, had a few alcoholic drinks and then got behind the wheel of a car without wearing his seat belt. He made three bad choices and the result was a life-changing accident.

The paramedics went through what Joe would go through at the scene of the accident and then all the painful work that would be performed on him in an effort to save his life. They then noted that if he survived he would be considered one of the lucky ones even though he would be scarred for life and, if he suffered any spinal injuries, he would never fully recover.

It was a grim lesson to the students who lost a classmate in an automobile accident at the beginning of this school year. Stocks said he hopes the students realize they are not indestructible and that wearing a seat belt and not drinking and driving can save their life.

"It's a real-life look at what happens to students who make poor choices," he said. "It's graphic material and gives them an understanding of what can happen if they make those choices.

"We hope that after this program they are aware of how big a problem bad decisions can be and that they make good choices and wear a seat belt."

By John Holaway/Staff Reporter Pontiac Daily Leader