Docs exhibit new training mannequins
Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe
okinawa marine staff


Marines with Truck Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, 3rd marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, evacuate a mock casualty during a medical demonstration at the III MEF Medical/Trauma Simulation Center July 23. Photo by Lance Cpl. Kris B. Daberkoe

CAMP HANSEN — Approximately 35 officers with 15th Logistics Support Unit, 15th Medical Unit, Japanese Self Defense Force recently gathered at the III Marine Expeditionary Force Medical Trauma Simulations Center here to view a demonstration of new casualty dummies that bring a new level of realism to medical practice.

The M/TSC is the first medical facility in the Marine Corps to receive the recently developed training tool.

Each wirelessly-controlled “Sim- Man 3G,” or mannequin, breathes, bleeds, cries, sweats, moans and moves. Each mannequin’s lungs has the capability to inhale and exhale in addition to emitting realistic chest and abdominal sounds.

The two new dummies can demonstrate any injury that is covered in III MEF M/TSC curriculum and can simulate a number of various signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, chest injuries, compromised airway, and c-spine damage among other injuries, said Garcia.

Also vital signs of the mannequins change in a way similar to human response to medical interventions.
 
As the Japanese officers observed, Marines per formed li fesaving ski l ls whi le blar ing speakers, fog machines and strobe lights added to the confusion and distractions on the simulated battlefield environment.

The new training aid allows instructors to monitor the performance and techniques of Marines and sailors to provide feedback to help them learn and improve.

“Most Marines that come through our courses have never been involved in a combat casualty or seen a traumatic injury. But with these mannequins, we are able to go into much further detail when teaching particular skill sets and demonstrate the characteristics of major injuries,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Garcia, a corpsman working with the III MEF M/TSC.

“Most dummies simulate just the dead weight of a casualty,” said Garcia. “Everything we have is only equipment, but the best training relies on the instructors.”

The mannequins come equipped with tiny microphones and a speaker in the mouth, so instructors can provide feed back to students treating the mock casualty, said Garcia.