ARTICLE

Using Manikins for Scenario Based Training in the Fire Service

Written by Sarah Hampson

ALG Safety are exclusive distributors of Ruth Lee Training Manikins in Canada. Contact us on 905-517-7406
16 June 2021

The most effective training simulates different scenarios as realistically as possible.

Training manikins can greatly enhance your rescue scenarios. There is less risk involved and they won’t complain if left unattended for long periods of time. You can also learn through repetition and mistake – often key to improving skills. At ALG Safety, our range of Ruth Lee manikins are available in many shapes, sizes and weights. Choosing the right size, weight and type of manikin to use is one of the keys to effective training.

With this in mind, we have put together a few different scenarios below to offer advice on choosing the right rescue dummy.

TRAINING SCENARIO 1: THERE IS A HOUSE FIRE AND NEIGHBOURS SAY THERE IS A CHILD INSIDE

The Solution: Fire House Manikin – available in Baby, Toddler, Youth and Adult sizes

If you want to carry out live-fire training, the only manikin to consider is our Fire House Manikin. For this scenario, we would suggest using a toddler or youth manikin for the correct weight and proportions.

It will easily withstand temperatures of around 160°C at floor level (400°C at the ceiling!) for a prolonged period of time and was designed with BA snatch rescue training in mind.

Ruth Lee Fire House baby Manikin

 

TRAINING SCENARIO 2: SOMEONE CALLS 911 TO SAY THERE IS AN OBESE CASUALTY TRAPPED IN AN UPSTAIRS BEDROOM

The Solution: Bariatric Manikin

If you might face a bariatric rescue in real-life, training with our Bariatric range of manikins, which weigh in at 90, 180 and 260kg is ideal preparation. Our 90kg manikin is perfect where you require the bulk of a bariatric, without too much weight for your training. We are can also supply a Water-fillable Bariatric Suit, which you can put over the top of a standard Ruth Lee manikin, set up the scenario with a lighter dummy and then add the required weight into a specially designed suit by filling with water.

Bariatric manikin in stretcher

 

TRAINING SCENARIO 3: THERE HAS BEEN A SERIOUS ROAD ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE REQUIRES IMMEDIATE CPR

The Solution: Full-body CPR Manikin

Our Full-body CPR Manikin allows you to create a more realistic training scenario where you first need to rescue a casualty from a confined space and then perform CPR. The manikin is realistically weighted providing the challenge of extricating the casualty from the vehicle and includes a CPR torso with correct anatomical features.

CPR Road Accident

 

TRAINING SCENARIO 4: THERE HAS BEEN HEAVY RAINFALL OVERNIGHT AND FLASH FLOODING HAS AFFECTED A SMALL RURAL TOWN – WHEN ATTENDING THE EVACUATION, SOMEONE IS SWEPT AWAY IN THE FAST-MOVING WATER

The Solution: Man Overboard Manikin

Swift-water rescues are dangerous and unpredictable – training with a manikin allows you to see where people would flow naturally in currents and perfect your rescue techniques if someone is swept downstream.

The Man Overboard manikin is a popular model which is designed to float. The careful balance between weight and buoyancy means that it rests at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with just the head and shoulders visible above the surface.

Man overbord swift water

 

TRAINING SCENARIO 5: A BUS HAS CRASHED INTO RAILINGS AND THE DRIVER IS IMPALED

The Solution: Multi Trauma Manikin

Our Multi Trauma manikin is the ideal choice for setting up serious injury scenarios. They are made to simulate several serious injuries and come complete with a detachable arm and leg, plus a cavity in the chest to let you create an impalement.

You can remove the arm or leg completely or leave them partially attached to encourage correct patient care…handle them in the wrong way and your casualty has just lost a limb!

Multi-Trauma manikin impaled

 

TRAINING SCENARIO 6: THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE SCALE TERRORIST ATTACK AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE VICTIMS

The Solution: Mass Casualty Manikin

Depending on the scale of your training, you will sometimes be required to set up a scenario where there are a large number of casualties that need to be seen, but not necessarily handled. The Mass Casualty Manikins is lightweight and cost-effective – we also leave them undressed so that you can dress them appropriately for your own training scenario.

Mass Casualty airport simulation

 

 

There really is a manikin for every training scenario!

We have a wide range of manikins available – over 60 different models. There is no limit to the training scenario you can create – a little imagination goes a long way and we are happy to offer advice to you before purchase to ensure that you have the best possible manikin for your training. Call us on 905-517-7406

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