Behind the scenes: Airmen use sophisticated training simulations

Editor's note: This feature is twelfth in a series of Air Commando highlights at Cannon.

USAF: Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Aramis Cendeo, 27th Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron, and Lt. Col. Christopher Walker, 27th Special Operations Medical Group, practice medical responses on the SimMan 3G June 21 in the clinic at Cannon Air Force Base.

It's like something out of a movie — a small hospital room, medical equipment everywhere, and a very realistic dummy lying in bed capable of replicating dozens of human functions and injuries. The 27th Special Operations Medical Group has taken training at Cannon Air Force Base to the next level with this highly-advanced artificial intelligence.

"Prior to the acquisition of the newer model, we were using an older version that had to be connected to a computer and air compressor, along with other peripherals, to simulate human functions," said Tech. Sgt. Ngu Do, 27 SOMDG NCOIC of education training. "The SimMan 3G is completely wireless and offers the most realistic training without the need of an actual injured person."

The SimMan 3G is a robotic human capable of mimicking nearly any body function necessary for the purpose of medical training. It can breathe, blink, bleed and even cry to provide real-life training for doctors, nurses and medical technicians.

"The SimMan has body sensors that can register and recognize what is being performed on it," said Do. "It knows when oxygen is being given and can determine how much medication its being administered. It even has a light sensitivity feature which causes its pupils to dilate."

Instructors are also able to program injuries into the SimMan's built in computer and vocal responses.

"There are built in microphones so (the instructors) are able to listen while students are working on the SimMan," said Master Sgt. Gregory Piotrowski, 27 SOMDG group training manager. "Students can ask questions and we can respond through the SimMan. This way, we don't have to be in the room while they tend to the simulated victim, but we can still provide assistance if necessary."

A built-in webcam also records scenarios run on the SimMan to provide visual feedback to students and instructors.

This advanced training tool is durable enough to be utilized for field training, said Maj. Shannon Hill, 27 SOMDG chief of group education training. Teams can perform carries with it, and can administer shocks with a defibrillator. The SimMan produces realistic vitals and even a pulse to aid in the overall training experience.

Limbs can be removed or replaced for Self Aid Buddy Care training and emergency medical technicians can perform CPR and trauma scenarios on the SimMan.

This sophisticated piece of technology costs more than $90,000 and is not an asset every military installation has.

"Because of our mission at Cannon and the fact that we deploy anywhere and everywhere at a moment's notice, our troops can potentially be exposed to a number of unique medical situations, said Do.