Gamer uses virtual training to save lives Player of America's Army used in-games techniques in a rescue situation. By Ben Silverman
Think playing video games is little more than a great way to waste time? Then you haven't met Paxton Galvanek. Last November, the twenty-eight year-old helped rescue two victims from an overturned SUV on the shoulder of a North Carolina interstate. As the first one on the scene, Galvanek safely removed both individuals from the smoking vehicle and properly assessed and treated their wounds, which included bruises, scrapes, head trauma and the loss of two fingers.
His medical background? None - other than what he's learned playing as a medic in the computer game America's Army.
The first-person shooter is developed and distributed by the U.S. Army. Though part of its mission is to promote its military namesake, America's Army is a fully-featured game that takes players through a virtual representation of real-life soldiering, from basic training to the field of battle. To play as a medic class, players must sit through extensive medical training tutorials based on real-life classes.
Lucky for the two survivors that Paxton Galvanek didn't zone out during the training, as the gamer credits this experience with teaching him how to handle himself in an emergency situation.
"In the case of this accident, I evaluated the situation and placed priority on the driver of the car who had missing fingers," he said. "I then recalled that in section two of the medic training, I learned about controlled bleeding. I noticed that the wounded man had severe bleeding that he could not control. I used a towel as a dressing and asked the man to hold the towel on his wound and to raise his hand above his head to lessen the blood flow which allowed me to evaluate his other injuries which included a cut on his head."
By the time help arrived in the form of -- ironically enough -- an Army soldier, the individuals were in stable condition and awaiting the paramedics.
Galvanek's decisions were lauded by game project director Colonel Casey Wardynski. "Because of the training he received in America's Army's virtual classroom, Mr. Galvanek had mastered the basics of first aid and had the confidence to take appropriate action when others might do nothing. He took the initiative to assess the situation, prioritize actions and apply the correct procedures... Paxton is a true hero."
According to the developers of America's Army, this is the second time one of their users has reportedly applied techniques learned in the game to real-life emergency situations. You can find more information about the game at http://www.americasarmy.com.
Reise wrote:Medic training is hard as **** on AA, so kudos to that dude for doing it and helping those people.
I enjoyed the training more than the game. I did all the training and enjoyed it a lot; was never able to get into the game =[
+1 the medic training was the most interesting and the most lasting memory of the game for me but the multiplayer wasn't too great
+2 got exited when I noticed there was a complete medical training in the game, enjoyed it. then played the game and never really got into playing it :S
Reise wrote:Medic training is hard as **** on AA, so kudos to that dude for doing it and helping those people.
Lol my brother could have done that no problem, and hes only 17 -.- But, hes had training in Sports medication in school so yeah, and my brother did that test for me on AA xD
hmm what have i learn from sro if i see a bad guy i got 3 choices light, cold and fire nuke now since i am an expert i will look carefully to see what kind of gear is he using protector, garment or armor if he is using armor i will know he is a noob and will go for the fire nuke for some extra dps if he is using garment i will use duh cold ( yes i created a decent cold nuke in real life....)and this is how i am planning to save my town/country/world? thank you sro
I don't know if i should applaud this, or be flabbergasted by the fact that when he saw two missing fingers, he immediatly thought of AA medic lesson 2.
Reise wrote:Medic training is hard as **** on AA, so kudos to that dude for doing it and helping those people.
Lol, google is your friend on the multiple choice questions
Priam wrote:I don't know if i should applaud this, or be flabbergasted by the fact that when he saw two missing fingers, he immediatly thought of AA medic lesson 2.
Lol i did that medic training, and to be honest i'd also think of wrapping a towel on his hand to stop the bleeding without this AA medical training. Common sense?
Niyoke wrote:err i know ium soudning weird but .. Mr Bow is my p.e teacher .. ARE YOU MR BOW? LMAO ?
*Passes by car accident* "Sorry d00ds dont have rezz" *Drives away*
lmao dude
Guild Wars 2, Isle of Janthir (NA)
Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken.
fena
games ftw
