What if Training for Emergencies Felt Like a Game?

Point of View: In a fast-paced world, emergencies can happen at any time and you know you need to be prepared. Response to an emergency is no game, the stakes are high, but imagine, instead of the oh so common ‘death by PowerPoint’ or reading through a handbook, you step into another world and get to experience firsthand the emergency unfolding. You’re now in a high-rise building – it is your workplace, and it is filling with smoke. You can hear the fire as it crackles, and a moment later, the alarms begin to sound. It is loud and overwhelming; you know that it isn’t real—but it sure feels like you are there. You begin to feel physiological responses in your body. In response to the scenario, your adrenaline spikes and you can feel your heart pounding. Now it’s time to react and respond. This is the future of emergency preparedness and response training. This is advanced simulation technology.

Why Train in a Virtual World?

Access to a virtual world is like being the main character in an action movie, but in this case, you don’t have a script, you’re forced to think on your feet and write one. The virtual world presents the opportunity for you to practice exactly how you would deal with an emergency and learn real skills that, if ever needed, could mean your survival. Traditional methods of training, such as roleplaying, are useful. However, they are limited and do not compare to the intensity of an emergency response simulation. Without the danger, simulation based response training is as close as you are going to get to feeling the reality of and training your response to real danger.

These scenarios are designed to keep you engaged. You are forced out of your comfort zone and way from memorising procedures and textbook answers. You are thrown into a scenario in which how you respond matters and shape the way it unfolds. It’s a choose your own adventure book, but this one can save lives.

More Than Just Fire Drills

Advanced simulation technologies takes crisis response training further than just fire drills. With the touch of a button, you can jump into just about any emergency whether it is man-made, natural or a mix of both. This technology allows you to take control of your training, designing scenarios as intense as mild as you’d like. Building on fire during an earthquake and armed attackers attempting to infiltrate your building? Tough day at the office! – but no sweat for Advanced simulation technologies.

Advanced simulation technologies gives you the control in emergency preparedness training, you can prepare for anything. With the ability to customise, replay and repeat scenarios, you can rest assured that you are prepared to handle anything.

Isn’t this just like a video game?

We thought that’s what you would be thinking. Virtual reality in emergency response training combines the awesome factors of video games, realistic environments, incredible graphics which make you feel like you’re there and the ability to reset, but also requires you to tap into your real-life skills. You aren’t just playing for fun. You’re playing to learn and gain instant feedback on your decision making, instincts and ability to react in an emergency.

It’s not just a video game, it is an interactive experience. An experience which relies on your problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership.

The Future of Modern Crisis Response

Advanced simulation technologies are the future. This technology replaces repetitive and boring PowerPoint presentations and standing at the back of the room during evacuation drills. With this style of training, your brain and body is tricked into believing that the danger is real. With more realistic training, comes better preparedness if the time comes that you need to respond to actual danger.

So what?

Being prepared for an emergency is critical and advanced simulation technologies give us the opportunity to more effectively train our responses, immersing participants in realistic, high-pressure scenarios that feel as close to the real thing as possible. Imagine you find yourself in a scenario where your workplace is on fire or there is an active shooter present. You feel your heart racing and your adrenaline spikes – but you are safe to practice your response and learn from your actions. Advanced simulation replaces boring PowerPoints and traditional drills, and it forces you to think fast, make decisions and react in a realistic way. You are able to replay, review and refine the way you have responded and effectively prepare yourself for a multitude of potential emergencies. The future of emergency preparedness training is here. In case of a true emergency, advanced simulation technologies ensure that you won’t just reach – you’ll be ready to respond like a pro.