Fort Simpson (Mar 21/03) - The most severe forms of trauma occurred over and over at the Fort Simpson health centre this past weekend.

Fortunately each instance was not real but a scenario created by an instructor. The medical staff were involved in a two-day advanced cardiac life support course.

Allan Holmes, a doctor from the Vancouver area who led the training, said the objective was to teach the nurses how to recognize and treat heart emergencies. The Fort Simpson health centre has all the necessary equipment to stabilize a patient, Holmes noted.

"There's nothing magic that's missing here. What is unique is that they're so far away from a major centre," he said.

The first hour following a serious trauma is critical. It's often referred to as the "golden hour," he noted. A medevac flight, often required in heart emergencies, takes approximately two hours to Yellowknife and three hours to Edmonton. That can be prolonged by poor weather.

"The plane doesn't come instantly," said Holmes. "We're not trying to make (the nurses) cardiologists. We're trying to give them the confidence to handle these situations."

Dr. Shane Barclay arranged to have the course provided in Fort Simpson for himself, seven nurses, one nursing student and four ambulance attendants, who were participating as observers. Normally doctors and nurses must travel to Yellowknife or Edmonton to re-certify every two years.

Jeannine Gaulin, a nurse in Fort Simpson for more than six years, said heart emergencies are among the most involved and demanding for nurses.

As proof, she pointed to the numerous relevant charts and step-by-step instructions posted on the wall of the emergency room.

By having the course locally, the staff were able to use their own equipment and benefit from learning as a unit, said Gaulin.

"Because we're taking it together we're all on the same page," she said. "This has been really ideal."

On Monday, the instructors reviewed other types of emergencies such as those relating to breathing, allergies and seizures.

John Bly, a paramedic for 24 years, also gave instruction over the weekend.

"These guys I'll tell ya are pretty sharp. I feel safe in Fort Simpson now," said Bly, who is from Spruce Grove, Alberta.