UCF Simulation Research Aids Military Medics, Drivers (With Video)

By Chad Binette Nov. 30, 2007

Blood loss is one of the leading causes of death on the battlefield, but war-zone medics often find it difficult to receive the training to prevent those deaths.

Today they can “save” a life-sized arm developed by the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Simulation and Training that simulates “bleeding.”

Researchers there have developed the arm in conjunction with the U.S. Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) and Chi Systems. On Tuesday, they demonstrated how it works during the nation’s largest exhibition of modeling, simulation and related technologies at Orange County Convention Center.

After this week’s Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, the Army’s RDECOM plans to demonstrate the arm to special operations medics in early December, and the technology could reach the battlefield in the next year or two, said Sandy Fowler, a science and technology manager for RDECOM who is based in the Central Florida Research Park next to UCF.

“You’re learning a life-saving skill, and you’re almost playing a game at the same time to keep you interested,” said Todd Lazarus, a researcher at IST.

UCF researchers developed the hardware for the “bleeding” arm. It can be used in conjunction with a PDA device or a laptop computer. Medics first choose a small, medium or large wound and then decide whether they want to simulate a small, medium or large-sized arm. A spot on the arm then lights up as “red,” indicating that it is bleeding. The medic must place and tighten the tourniquet properly to turn the light green, indicating that the bleeding has stopped. A clock on the arm times how long that takes.

While the arm can help medics in the field, another UCF research project stands to make getting to patients safer for rescue workers.

A driving simulator developed at IST allows ambulance drivers, truck drivers and others to practice in all types of hazardous conditions, including rain, snow and children suddenly running in front of their vehicles.

Lisa Hernandez, a lab manager at IST, demonstrated the driving simulator with a 42-inch plasma screen at the I/ITSEC conference. After a crash, the simulator tells the driver what violations occurred and whether it might have been severe enough to cause a fatality.

The simulation, and the detailed feedback that it provides users, allows people to learn important skills that should make them handle dangerous scenarios better if they ever encounter them.

“Our measure of success is the human performance changes, not how well the technology changes,” said Ron Tarr, a researcher at IST.

UCF’s presence at the I/ITSEC conference extended beyond the exhibit halls.

Eduardo Salas, a trustee chair and professor of Psychology who also is an IST researcher, participated in a discussion on how advances in medical simulation have benefited the military. Salas discussed the importance of using science to develop an effective team training system that includes observation and feedback.

During another panel discussion, Professor Jan Cannon-Bowers of UCF's School of Film and Digital Media spoke about how innovations in simulation can help military personnel and their families, including children, better understand military medicine, including diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.

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UCF Stands for Opportunity: Established in 1963, the University of Central Florida is a diverse metropolitan research university that ranks as the 6th-largest in the country with more than 48,000 students. Located in Orlando, Fla., UCF offers high-quality undergraduate and graduate education, student development and continuing education, while conducting cutting-edge research that powers the region's economic development. For more UCF news, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

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