SKOWHEGAN -- Employing a so-called "z drag," Zach Warren showed parents and other spectators at the Skowhegan Region Vocational Center how to execute a whitewater river rescue Thursday night.

Would-be anesthesiologist Lauren Emery and others studying for the health care field displayed the delicate techniques needed to perform surgery.

And in the Vocational Center kitchen, parents dined on baked Alaska, chocolate crepes with ice cream and appetizers.

Students learning carpentry, information systems technology, automotive, digital graphic arts and electrical skills also were part of the annual showcase. Instructors and parents alike beamed.

"We run it kind of like an L.L. Bean workshop," said outdoor resources teacher Bill Houston. "Here, people come and learn outdoor skills but they also see the skills, and the leadership their children are learning."

Warren showed the "z drag" to be a form of river rescue using a z-shaped strap, pulleys and knots. After classmate Tyler Shores tossed him a roped throw-bag, Warren tried but was unable to pull the raft and the three people in it.

After another technique also failed, Warren fastened a knot that slid up and down the rope and adjusted the anchored pulleys. As he pulled the raft along, Warren had displayed a technique that would rescue stranded rafters.

Upstairs, registered nurse Alaine Roselle quickly got her health care students ready for the operation.

"Who are my (operating room) people?" Roselle asked. "Can we start the operation? Anesthesiologist--good. Where's the scrub nurse? Where's the circulating nurse?"

Kaitlin Libby quickly took her place as the scrub nurse. Chantelle Natale was the surgeon, and Melanie Gagne the assistant surgeon.

Emery showed the method of putting a patient to sleep, either with an IV or with circulating gases. While Gagne gave the patient oxygen, Emery inserted a tube into his mouth.

She was well-versed.

"This will stay in for the entire surgery," Emery said.

Parents applauded the team as the surgery concluded.

Culinary arts instructor Lana Swett watched as happy parents dined on their children's creations. While Josh Long carefully lit the baked Alaska, Justin Perkins dished out elegant appetizers. Jackie Mathieu and Ben Pratt worked the crepes table, honing their flipping talents.

"It's all in the wrist," Pratt said. "The trick is not to over-flip it."

Also upstairs, Eddie Mathieu's electrical construction students showed their wiring skills. The electrical and carpentry students are completing a house that they built for Habit for Humanity.

Upstairs and down, the place was teeming with activity.

The Vocational Center, part of Skowhegan Area High Schools, serves students from Skowhegan, Carrabec, Valley and Madison high schools, and Maine Central Institute.

Larry Grard -- 474-9534, Ext. 343

lgrard@centralmaine.com