Braintree High School Students Train As First Responders

BRAINTREE (CBS) - Have you ever been in an emergency situation, say around someone who was choking or having an allergic reaction, and wished someone nearby was trained in emergency response? Well, that's a situation that Braintree High School is trying to alleviate.

They've partnered with South Shore Hospital and Massasoit Community College to train students in emergency response. And some of the high schoolers now say they want to be paramedics someday.

"It's very interactive training," says senior Ben Bidorini. And he's right. The paramedics from South Shore Hospital have a very life-like mannequin they use.

It has a heartbeat, a pulse; they can even make it choke. And it's run by a remote computer. So the kids approach the mannequin and have to diagnose the problem, which could be an overdose, then treat the victim. And yes, they're trained to administer Narcan.

"They'll be able to save lives someday," says paramedic Nastassia Swanson.

Christian Paiva is one of the students. "It's very hands-on," she says, "so you won't forget it."

The course is one year, but it could have lifetime benefits.