ERS MEDICAL LAUNCHES VR TRAINING FOR CREWS

Virtual reality platform to help with first-aid refresher training

Healthcare transport company ERS Medical has launched a virtual reality platform for its crews to help with refresher training. Developed by VR training company Responder VR, the innovative training platform was trailed with crews at ERS Medical’s Leeds base. 

During the launch training session, Ambulance Care Assistants (ACAs) used VR headsets for CPR refresher training in a virtual room, on a virtual patient. The training session was monitored by a trainer who also logged into the virtual environment to provide guidance. Crews were taken through a real-life scenario of a person collapsing and what they would do until the emergency services arrived. This included removing any dangerous objects, phoning for help and then performing CPR, and putting the patient into a recovery position. 

The VR training session commences with a clear indication of the task to complete, which is displayed on a notice board in the virtual space. As the session continues, there are visual prompts to aid crews including a CPR counter and depth display for compressions. Crews are also able to check their progress against the task on the virtual notice board.

 Andrew Pooley, ERS Medical’s Chief Executive, explains more: “We are always looking for innovative ways to improve our organisation and engage with our colleagues. With this new platform we wanted to build upon our existing training provision and make it easy for people to update their skills whenever they want to – especially as we have 1300 colleagues spread across 27 sites, nationally. 

“This technology allows crews to refresh their training easily without the need for our trainers to be physically present at a site. It isn’t a replacement for our mandatory face-to-face training but adds another fun aspect to the training plan in a convenient and time-efficient way. Trainers can simply log onto a virtual session to be present for additional guidance. Alternatively, crews can book their training session at a time to suit them, which reduces the need for travel.

 “The platform is still in its early days of launch and we’re continuously gathering user feedback to build upon. This type of virtual training bridges the gap between a classroom environment for first-hand learning and watching a training video to recap learning.

 “Wearing a VR headset and physically performing the training exercises in an immersive virtual environment is a great way for crews to go through the steps and go over vital techniques.”