Over the past 18 months and with the challenges Covid has brought, we have seen a marked increase in online digital learning at Rescue-Sim (www.rescue-sim.com). We knew an online interactive training tool for Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) and vehicle extrication was important, but we never imagined how quickly organisations would need to change their training approach and adopt new tools to support their practical training.
Multiple services have started to introduce the use of Digital Learning by using Rescue-Sim to support and complement traditional practical training methods. The high cost and difficulty in getting hold of actual vehicles (especially the newer Electric Vehicles (EVs) and larger vehicles such as HGVs, specialist vehicles and tractors) is making practical training more and more challenging. Rescue-Sim is helping trainers to bridge the gap where a lack of vehicles results in the reduction of practical training.
Rescue-Sim has numerous different scenarios and vehicles to assist with RTCs and vehicle extrication training. Vehicles have information sheets, explaining where critical items are, and how to make them safe. There are also videos of the vehicles, enabling users to be able to actually see where everything is located, which is particularly useful on the EVs, as there are very few of these available for practical training.
Rescue-Sim can be used in two modes, a trainer mode and an assessment mode:
- The trainer mode is used when teaching a class. You can walk through numerous different scenarios with various vehicles and multiple situations. Whilst in the trainer mode, there are features such as being able to draw on the vehicle, write notes from the class on the screen and take a download image of the screen, including the scenario and any teaching notes for subsequent distribution to class attendees. In addition, you can freely use different tools from the toolkit to demonstrate how to make vehicles and situations safe.
- The assessment mode: individuals go through the various scenarios they have been taught and implement the steps required for a successful outcome. This allows the individual to demonstrate and confirm their learning, and record any errors or hints used to complete the module. There are many features for students, such as being able to repeat the assessments on the scenarios as many times as required; the ability to download assessments; a handy hint button, and the ability to write on completed assessments if students require any assistance from their trainer.
Another feature trainers can benefit from is the ability to link their student account to their Rescue-Sim account. This enables trainers to see students’ progress, identify if there are any trends appearing where further group training may be required, or identify if any students require individual training on particular subjects.
There are many advantages of using Rescue-Sim, it reduces training costs, provides the ability to revisit and repeat scenarios as many times as required, provides access to vehicle types that are currently not physically available for practical training (such as EVs and HGVs) and may not be for some time. There are regular updates and new features added to Rescue-Sim as a matter of course. However, if any service identifies a unique requirement or scenario to be included in their training, Rescue-Sim can accommodate requests and adapt the training appropriately. Rescue-Sim sees this hybrid way of practical and online training being the way forward, and the need to adopt Digital Learning at all fire services as crucial.
For more information, go to www.rescue-sim.com
