The Multisensory Integrated Modules for Training

All around the world, quite every day Rescue Teams must operate many times in dangerous environments due to the characteristic and places conditions or to the presence of hazardous substances. These risk scenarios are very often complex and multivariate so it is very important that operators are adequately trained. However, training is not a simple matter because the rescuers should be prepared for any kind of possible scenario and events and this is not always feasible. In fact, there are several obstacles to overcome: high cost, inability to recreate complex and dynamic scenarios and impossibility to reconstruct situations really dangerous for the operator. Current training methodologies can only create linear scenarios with low complexity and magnitude; for this reason, between operator and the reconstructed environment, there is a very low interaction. In such a frame, we present a multisensorial integrated modules for training, capable to to train operators in a closer way to reality, where way the operator is surrounded by a virtual scenario having physical characteristics very similar to the real ones. Each user, within the module, operates in a virtual model of the real scenario, learning by acting and interacting with the simulated environment and events. The virtual replica of the reality is obtained by means of 3D stereoscopic vision, smells, smokes, sounds, temperature changes, vibrations and change of spatial position. Furthermore, with the adoption of wearable electronic sensors and devices, it is possible to control and record the body operator’s movements, in order to monitor and verify the accuracy of operator’s action, even minimal, during training. Using these tools, we can create many different scenarios with modular complexity and characteristics allowing a more accurate and effective training of operators in responding to emergencies