N.H. Firefighters Use Advanced Patient Simulator in Training
Feb. 27--ROCHESTER -- Firefighters of the C-Shift saved Abe from a heart attack, diabetic shock, and the trauma of going through a front windshield Wednesday afternoon at the Gonic fire station. Abe is a patient simulator run by a computer to help train firefighters and emergency medical responders for real situations.
"He simulates everything you can do with a victim," said Capt. Mark Avery, listing Abe's realistic attributes including pulses, heart rates, and 8 lung sounds, as well as talking, asking questions a patient might.
His breathing is visible in his chest, a pulse can be felt in his neck and wrists, and his face turns blue when breathing is impeded.
Avery said the greatest benefit of working with Abe is that they can practice real skills on him. Typically when the department works on patients for practice it uses a volunteer or a basic dummy. Often, however, they have had to pretend they were administering the proper response.
"If it wasn't for this, we'd be learning from pictures and lessons and calls," said firefighter and EMT Kaitlin Olsen.
The department engages in monthly training, often in a classroom with books and lessons. This month's lesson was more hands on through a program funded by the state.
Michael Kennard, a program coordinator for the State Department of Safety's Division of Fire Standards and Training and Emergency Medical Services said the state started working with Abe and his adolescent counterpart, Hal, a year and a half ago.
They started taking Abe on the road 10 months ago, but this was the first time he stopped in Rochester. Kennard is currently working with the four Rochester shifts and crews in Dover.
Abe provides a range of possibilities for training, covering everything from basic life support to advanced life support like starting IVs.
"It is a great tool to use to test and sharpen their skills," said Chief Norm Sanborn. "It's as realistic as you can get without working on a real person."
Kennard, who controls Abe's reactions and symptoms, said he put the Rochester firefighters through different scenarios, including allergic reactions, cardiac arrest, and heart failure with fluid in the lungs.
Not only does Abe provide the realistic symptoms to test their responses, but he can provide feedback through Kennard's computer, assessing things such as chest compressions.
"The goal is to work on assessment skills and practice with lifelike capabilities," said Kennard.
"We use these skills constantly," said Avery, adding that even in situations where Frisbie Memorial Hospital's EMTs would provide life support, the training will help crews in assisting the EMTs.
While the C-Shift enthusiastically worked to save Abe from yet another incident Wednesday afternoon, Avery said, "It's about teamwork and working together."
Kennard will be returning with Abe next week to work with another shift crew and on March 11 to work with a Dover shift crew, before heading out to work with other departments throughout the state.
Copyright 2014 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.
