When Austin-Travis County EMS purchased an Immersive Interactive lab, its staff members wanted to learn what the lab could do from an organization that had experience with the technology.
That is why department members traveled to Abilene recently to tour Texas State Technical College’s Immersive Interactive lab and its ambulance simulator. They left with more knowledge about the technology and information on how to train their first responders.
“Austin-Travis County EMS is known as the most prestigious EMS service in Texas. When they contacted me inquiring about our ambulance simulator and wanting to visit our campus, we were more than thrilled,” Ashley Blackburn, TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program coordinator, said in a news release. “They were excited to see the new technology for EMS education and how we utilize this equipment for our students.”
Jason Cantu, a captain with Austin-Travis County EMS, said the goal was to learn how to better utilize the lab's technology.
“We have two of the manikins in our lab and are hoping to get a child (manikin) in the future to help with our training,” he said in the release. “We have not been able to use our lab as much as we would like. We wanted to see how it can be used by someone who has been active with the technology.”
The first responders spent time in different virtual environments — from an emergency room to an accident scene — courtesy of the lab’s preprogrammed scenarios.
During the tour, the Travis County first responders were able to drive the ambulance simulator. Cantu was the first to drive and was “hit” by a vehicle, causing everyone inside to feel the effects. The first responders agreed that the best part of the ambulance simulator will be for those treating patients during the drive.
“This will give you the experience that you cannot just be there for the ride,” Cantu said. “You have to find somewhere to brace yourself while also working on a patient.”
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