In a car accident, a victim might be injured by the impact. Or experience trauma after the crash. Or even go into cardiac arrest.
The last scenario might be rare, but it's the kind of situation that firefighters have to handle, Palatine Fire Department Lt. Marc Campise said Tuesday. To be ready for those kinds of high-risk, low-frequency events, Campise's department, along with the Palatine Rural Fire Protection District and Rolling Meadows Fire Department, is training on a new, high-tech simulation manikin.
The anatomically realistic manikin gives trainees an indication of blood pressure, a pulse, breath and the ability to make lifelike noises.
A simulation pad allows a controller to adjust conditions and responses, as well as the age and health of the "patient." A larger screen displays vitals, blood pressure, pulse and an EKG.
"This will let us practice like we play," Campise said.