High-tech war games help save lives (CNN article)

(see link at bottom)

 Technology to the rescue! In this CNN News article (see title), the use of helpful technologies to our armed forces is accounted for. While most of us (us being American college students) use technologies such as video games or online simulators for our own entertainment, these same types of technologies are being used overseas to "save lives" (CNN). Apparently, life sized mannequins have been developed that "can simulate bleeding and breathing, and they have blinking-eyes that dilate. Medics can test their skills on these life-like mannequins" (CNN). These mannequins have skin very close in nature to that of living humans, "allowing soldiers to practice life-saving techniques to stop bleeding and start intravenous medications" (CNN). According to one Pentagon study, these mannequins have helped "save 1000 soliders' lives in combat" (CNN).

While I use technologies to game on the internet and practice my e-skills, medics and ordinary soldiers are using these technologies to help save actual lives. During the course of the semester, we have all bore witness to various gizmos and devices that really serve no useful purpose at all, and yet for the first time this fall I believe that I have finally discovered a truly beneficial piece of technology. In regards to the survival of humans, these mannequins have considerably altered the survival of soldiers (American lives).

The mannequins are so realistic that, "The simulator will breathe and bleed. And if it's bleeding, you have to apply the proper pressure to stop or control the bleeding, or the simulator will die" (CNN). Not only are the benefits of this technology outstanding, the ability that modern-day technologies have to simulate real-life situations is frighteningly accurate. If mannequins that can imitate human bodily functions exist, what is the next step in simulation technologies? While this technology is undoubtedly useful, this development may pave the way for other simulator technologies that may alter human interaction completely...



http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/12/11/military.simulation/index.html