Gamer uses virtual training to save lives

Player of America’s Army used in-games techniques in a rescue situation.

By Ben Silverman
Think playing video
games is little more than a great way to waste time? Then you haven’t
met Paxton Galvanek. Last November, the twenty-eight year-old helped
rescue two victims from an overturned SUV on the shoulder of a North
Carolina interstate. As the first one on the scene, Galvanek safely
removed both individuals from the smoking vehicle and properly assessed
and treated their wounds, which included bruises, scrapes, head trauma
and the loss of two fingers.

His medical background? None - other than what he’s learned playing as a medic in the computer game America’s Army.

The first-person shooter is developed and distributed by the U.S. Army.
Though part of its mission is to promote its military namesake,
America’s Army is a fully-featured game that takes players through a
virtual representation of real-life soldiering, from basic training to
the field of battle. To play as a medic class, players must sit through
extensive medical training tutorials based on real-life classes.

Lucky for the two survivors that Paxton Galvanek didn’t zone out during
the training, as the gamer credits this experience with teaching him
how to handle himself in an emergency situation.

"In the case of this accident, I evaluated the situation and placed
priority on the driver of the car who had missing fingers," he said. "I
then recalled that in section two of the medic training, I learned
about controlled bleeding. I noticed that the wounded man had severe
bleeding that he could not control. I used a towel as a dressing and
asked the man to hold the towel on his wound and to raise his hand
above his head to lessen the blood flow which allowed me to evaluate
his other injuries which included a cut on his head."

By the time help arrived in the form of — ironically enough –
an Army soldier, the individuals were in stable condition and awaiting
the paramedics.

Galvanek’s decisions were lauded by game project director Colonel Casey
Wardynski. "Because of the training he received in America’s Army’s
virtual classroom, Mr. Galvanek had mastered the basics of first aid
and had the confidence to take appropriate action when others might do
nothing. He took the initiative to assess the situation, prioritize
actions and apply the correct procedures… Paxton is a true hero."

According to the developers of America’s Army, this is the
second time one of their users has reportedly applied techniques
learned in the game to real-life emergency situations. You can find
more information about the game at www.americasarmy.com.