OLD ORCHARD BEACH — It’s not human, but it’s the next best thing.
The newest edition to the fire department, a 6-foot tall, 180-pound Smart STAT Manikin can cry and talk. Its chest rises and falls when simulating breathing and a heart rate that can be monitored.
And that’s just the beginning. Among the many other features of the training mannequin, its lips and fingertips turn blue while simulating lack of oxygen, it has a pulse, pupils that dilate when reacting to light, its tongue can swell to simulate an allergic reaction, and blood can be drawn from its veins.
“There’s just so much possibility out there,” said Firefighter/Paramedic Don Pelletier as he gave a demonstration of the mannequin’s capabilities Monday.
The mannequin has a rechargeable battery, and an instructor controls it through an iPad.
“He’s fully wireless,” said Pelletier.
The mannequin will be used for training sessions for those in the department who respond to emergency medical service calls, said Chief John Glass. He said the department plans in the future to bring in other organizations, such as nursing homes, that would benefit from a training session with the mannequin.
“It’s incredible,” said Glass.
The department previously had a mannequin that was about 15 years old and very limited, he said.
The new mannequin can replicate real-life conditions in pre-programmed scenarios and help emergency medical staff become proficient in treating patients, said Pelletier.
“If you screw up, you’re not going to hurt the mannequin,” said Pelletier.
Training sessions can be recorded and reviewed later, and if someone makes an error, the instructor and the student can go back and review what the student did wrong.
Training with the mannequin can be done outside a classroom setting.
The mannequin is tough enough to be “manhandled” said Pelletier, and an instruction could include, for example, taking the mannequin out of a car and into an ambulance.
The department was able to purchase the mannequin thanks to donations from organizations, businesses and individuals.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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