EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — An East Hartford-based company that makes virtual reality training systems for trade skills, like painting and welding, just released its latest training product that could save lives.
VRSim's newly unveiled virtual system is designed to help train EMTs and paramedics.
“We need more paramedics, we need more EMTs, we need more EMS personnel, and we are trying to give them a vehicle to get basic training across,” said VRSim CEO Matthew Wallace during an open house at the office.
Just like playing a video game, users strap on a headset and enter the world created by the team at VRSim, which provides scenarios like encountering a patient having a heart attack, a drug overdose, or even the challenges of delivering a baby.
“Instead of a mannequin and equipment to go through the training and testing – you are doing exactly the same thing but it’s in a virtual environment,” said Ben Zura, a consultant for VRSim.
Wallace expects VRSim’s newest technology will soon be used across the country and perhaps beyond in the years ahead.
“I am hopeful people will see the message we are sending which is good basic training... the skills are more in need,” Wallace said.
"We need to train and field a new generation of EMS providers, and this is going to help us do that," Zura added.
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Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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