DURHAM, N.C. — When tragedy strikes, rescue workers do not have the luxury of time. They have to act quickly. Students at Duke University helped rescue workers in a mock exercise.

A mock explosion at Duke University Monday gave student emergency medical technicians a chance to use their training.

"I think they're doing a great job even though it's a simulation and they can't do everything they would normally do. It feels real to me," student Pamela Leech said.

After the events of Sept. 11, many Americans learned that no one is immune to violence.

"You have to be prepared if some moron decides to bring a bomb into a basketball game, a lecture or chapel," student Trey Southerland said.

"It was hard. If something actually happened, I think we will be better prepared now that we've had the practice," emergency medical technician Kelly Deleeuw said.