Smooth Landing: CSN Students Get Live Helicopter Training
The Charleston campus turned into a live training ground on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as a Mercy Air helicopter touched down at 3:15 p.m. for an active emergency simulation with students from the College of Southern Nevada’s Paramedic Program.
Under clear skies and sunshine, 21 paramedic students from both the North Las Vegas and Charleston programs took part in a hands-on learning experience that put classroom theory into motion — literally.
The goal of the simulation was to give students a firsthand understanding of landing zone setup, helicopter approach safety, and proper patient loading and unloading procedures. It’s one thing to learn it in a book, but quite another to feel the wind whip around you as a helicopter descends.
“This kind of training would cost around $40,000 if we had to pay for it,” said Program Director Braiden Green, “so we’re incredibly thankful to Mercy Air and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for volunteering their time and expertise.”
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue crews established the landing zone, while Mercy Air flew in their helicopter and flight team, offering students a rare, close-up look at the coordination required during an emergency air transport.
The event was intentionally kept small to give students the most hands-on experience possible during the flight team’s limited ground time. Given the sensitive nature of recent aviation accidents, this exercise carried even more relevance and gravity for everyone involved.
Beyond the rotor wash and adrenaline, the training underscored the value of CSN’s strong community partnerships that allow students to gain real-world experience before graduation.
A smooth landing, clear skies, and a valuable lesson in teamwork — not a bad day at the office for CSN’s future first responders.
📸 View photos from the simulation:
