Sim-Game based Training System for Scene and Patient Management Following Blast Injury from Explosives Including Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

Though members of the military have long been susceptible as victims of injuries from explosions; this has become increasingly prevalent with the employment of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq and elsewhere. Combat medical personnel and their civilian counterparts must be trained to recognize and understand the mechanism of injury from explosives and provide proper assessment, care and evacuation to survivors. In most blast circumstances a mass casualty situation will result. This will likely require an effective and accurate patient triage to accomplish the principle of achieving the greatest good for the greatest number. Triage procedures are relatively simple to apply, however they are most difficult for first responders to employ. This project develops and demonstrates a prototype sim-game based training adjunct for Combat Medics with current emergency medical technician (EMT) and advanced skills training.