You get to see morbid illustrations of open fractures and how to treat them.

You also get to see what exactly happens when something explodes in your hands.

You get to meet people who look like they fell asleep at the grill (or as John puts it, “getting slapped by a giant starfish”).

And see the handiwork of talented yet morbid visual artists.

You get to meet people who are most likely your neighbors, and create support groups before a disaster. “You watch my back, I watch yours”.

At the end of a very exhausting day of simulations, you’re happy to know that all that blood is fake.

But I also found myself asking, “Does this wash off easily”?

More importantly, imagine the looks you’ll be getting while driving on the freeway.

A big group of like minded green helmeted people makes for a deadly combination, in search and rescue that is.

I just hope this guy doesn’t spill his ‘fake guts and blood’ on my shirt… do’h! Too late.

Even the search and rescue canine unit agrees with me, “Take a CERT class near you”.