First-Aid Station: A Necessary Attraction

The medicine chest at Legoland’s first-aid facility might seem more like a toy chest to young park visitors because it stocks unlikely but time-honored healing aids--small toys that are handed out to injured children.

“We try to make this just as much fun of an experience as the park is,” says Kathy Murphy, the park’s safety supervisor. “We had one little boy come in who didn’t want to leave.”

It’s an experience that parents hope their children will never have, of course. But accidents happen--even on what are intended to be joyful outings at such places as Legoland, Disneyland or the zoo.

First-aid stations at Southern California theme parks and attractions put the majority of cases they handle in two categories: cuts and bruises usually caused by children running, and, especially in summer, heat-related illnesses.

They aren’t exactly headline-grabbers, but don’t try telling that to a parent dealing with a child’s fresh wound. “Their children are their most important asset, so normally they overreact,” Murphy says.

If a parent’s first instinct is to yell “Help!” when an injury occurs, it’s not such a bad idea. All the parks said that all employees--that’s “team members” at Sea World, “model citizens” at Legoland or “cast members” at Disneyland--have been trained to guide people to the first-aid center or summon help to the scene if necessary.

Every one of the 11 parks surveyed also said directions to the first-aid facilities are clearly marked on maps handed out to visitors and on signs throughout the parks. Many parents queried said they pack in first-aid essentials on park visits so they won’t have to seek out such facilities.

Below is a roundup of first-aid offered at area parks and attractions:

Bumps, Bruises and Worse: Where to Get Help at Tourist Attractions

(SET UP AS A CHART W/THESE CATEGORIES: FACILITY/STAFFING/MOST COMMON INJURY/QUOTE/MISCELLANY

Disneyland

Facility: “Backstage area” has a “fully staffed primary-care facility.”

Staffing: Two to seven registered nurses.

Most common injury: Bumped knees, headaches, preexisting illness.

Quote: “What we see most days are people with chest pains or breathing difficulties,” said spokesman Ray Gomez.

Miscellany: In an emergency, call 911--the park is within two blocks of a fire station staffed with paramedics.

Knott’s Berry Farm

Facility: One first-aid station.

Staffing: Minimum of one registered nurse and one emergency medical technician. Staff fluctuates depending on park attendance.

Most common injury: Overheating and blisters.

Quote: “We even provide a quiet place for guests to rest or take any medications that might be needed on a daily basis,” said spokeswoman Dana Hammontree.

Miscellany: First-aid conveniently located across from park’s most popular attraction, GhostRider roller coaster.

Legoland

Facility: First-aid station near entrance.

Staffing: Two emergency medical technicians plus “park rangers,” or security guards, trained in first aid.

Most common injury: Scrapes.

Quote: “People have a misconception that we have a lot of injuries, but 50% of our guests are children who run and play and climb and trip and fall,” says Kathy Murphy, safety supervisor.

Miscellany: Free Lego toys help small patrons recover from boo-boos, and certificates for bravery are awarded. Roving rangers wear fanny packs with first-aid supplies.

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

Facility: First-aid room.

Staffing: The 15 security guards are CPR-certified and trained in first-aid. Number on duty fluctuates.

Most common injury: Scrapes.

Quote: “Visiting the aquarium is not an all-day event, so a visit here is not that demanding on the body,” said spokeswoman Marilyn Padilla.

Miscellany: First-aid room used an average of once a day. Free use of wheelchairs.

Los Angeles Zoo

Facility: Security office does double-duty as first-aid facility.

Staffing: Average of nine officers on duty on a typical weekend, five on weekdays. Security officers required to undergo annual first-aid and community CPR training.

Most common injury: Scraped knees and elbows.

Quote: “If it’s anything major or of great emergency, we definitely call the paramedics. It takes them less than five minutes at the most to get here,” said Tom Caraballo, principal security officer.

Miscellany: First-aid used an average of once a day.

San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park

Facility: A “nurse’s station” at each park.

Staffing: Two emergency medical technicians per station.

Most common injury: Heat-related illness, scraped knees.

Quote: “The stations also provide basic medical services for employees, tuberculosis testing and things we need for working around animals,” said spokeswoman Christina Simmons.

Miscellany: Legoland uses the same outside medical management contractor for its first-aid needs.

Sea World

Facility: Two permanent first-aid stations plus two temporary stations at peak times.

Staffing: Two employees who are registered nurses, emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

Most common injury: Blisters from uncomfortable shoes.

Quote: “Walking around 160 acres, you get blisters a lot. On a medium day, we hand out about 30 Band-Aids,” said spokesman Bob Tucker.

Miscellany: Second-most common injury: “People hitting and scratching themselves.”

Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor

Facility: A first-aid station at each park.

Staffing: Minimum of one paramedic and five to six emergency medical technicians.

Most-common injury: Heat-related in summer at Magic Mountain; stubbed toes at Hurricane Harbor.

Quote: “A majority of the first-aid staff comes from the fire departments and ambulance services throughout the surrounding area,” said spokesman Andy Gallardo.

Miscellany: Most on first-aid staff are part-timers.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Facility: Two nurses’ stations.

Staffing: Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses; the number fluctuates depending on attendance. Mobile response unit staffed by an emergency medical technician.

Most common injury: Simple headaches followed by heat-related problems, partly due to park’s many foreign tourists who aren’t prepared for heat, according to employees.

Quote: “Many people who visit are on vacation, and when their child gets sick, they want to push the limit. So we see a lot of preexisting conditions aggravated by vacation,” said Michael Taylor, senior vice president and general manager.

Miscellany: Universal has a dedicated phone line to report emergencies.