UF Health residents, medical students take to the field for hurricane training

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Thursday, Travis Meyers got in one last surf session.

He said he won’t be out in the water when Hurricane Dorian hits Florida’s east coast.

• Live updates: Hurricane Dorian continues to strengthen
• Water: Jacksonville shoppers find empty water shelves as they prepare for Dorian
• Evacuation: Mayor Curry: 'Still a day or two from making evacuation decisions' 
• Supply Kit: What supplies you need ahead of Dorian landfall
• Sandbag locations: Here's where you can get sandbags ahead of Dorian
• Price Gouging Info: Florida attorney general encourages residents to report price gouging, use new app ahead of storm

The surfer told Action News Jax, “I’m not skilled enough at it. I’ve only been working at it for a couple of weeks, but the other surfers out here, they’ll definitely be out here.”

According to Andrew Schmidt with UF Health and Ocean Rescue, there will also be plenty of onlookers.

He explained, “A hurricane ocean is one of the most beautiful things to see, but in that, people who don’t know how the ocean works can easily be swept out.”

Schmidt said it makes Thursday’s training for medical students and residents that much more important.

The course was planned before Dorian took aim at Florida’s east coast.

“All these doctors are actually going to be on shift during the storm at our emergency trauma centers. They may have some of these injuries come in,” he said.

The teams worked through drills on drownings, fish hook removals, lightning strikes and allergic reactions to marine animal stings.

Schmidt said the skills will allow them to save lives regardless of their environment.

“They may be on vacation, they may be just enjoying a day at the beach and suddenly there’s an emergency, and they kind of take a step back and not really know what to do,” he explained.

Meyers said he is taking his own steps to make sure he doesn’t end up a patient.

“Make sure you’re not going too far out. Make sure you’re not out of your element,” the surfer said.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group