High Tech First Aid Training Helps Save Lives Under Fire

Using ‘human patient simulators’ the Australian Defence Force (ADF) trains troops across a variety of injuries under simulated battle conditions so they react faster and more effectively in the field.

The Challenges

The ADF provides life-like scenario training exercises based on current operational environments and injury data.
To ensure that training at the new base met Australian field standards, the ADF required:

• An environment that simulates conditions in the field, with noise, smoke, lights and other stimulus
• Ability to handle up to three training situations at the same time
• High fidelity human patient simulation, using wireless medi-simulators as programmed by CSC for the US Army, operating alongside standard first aid training mannequins
• Management of the simulators throughout the ADF program, including updating and maintaining them to suit the changing operational environment
• Management of the project, the trainers, and the courses
• Rapid deployment at the new base

The Solution

CSC rapidly deployed a skilled team to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) to implement CSC’s award-winning Medical Simulation technology and the associated training package.

CSC delivered the solution in two stages:

The first stage, the Initial Operating Capability (IOC), comprised a small team using existing simulators. Training began at the new base in less than a month from contract signing.

An Australian Transition Manager (ATM) with extensive Army experience was sent ahead to establish links, fit out temporary premises for the training program, develop sound working relationships with ADF staff on the ground and develop plans for stage two.

Three qualified instructors and several additional trainers followed rapidly. Meanwhile CSC programmed new mannequins to Australian standards and despatched them as they became ready.

The second stage, the Final Operating Capability (FOC), was achieved ahead of schedule and included the full complement of five instructors, six human patient simulators programmed for ADF requirements, and a working simulated battle environment.

The Results

Thousands of ADF combatants are now armed with medical skills that save lives on the battlefield, because they have gained the confidence to use techniques like intubation, bleeding control, spinal immobilisation, tourniquet application and others.

The course achieved over 90% trainee approval rating. The trainees particularly valued the chance to practice Care Under Fire – the battlefield simulation enabled them to anticipate and overcome the confusion and noise to complete the exercise.