NationStates Jolt Archive

And here I thought they cause people to be violent. Here's a somewhat "violent" game that helped a gamer save two lives. I remember my friend telling me about this game a few years ago.

Link (http://us.i1.yimg.com/videogames.yahoo.com/feature/gamer-uses-virtual-training-to-save-lives/1181064)

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.

Ok, that is pure AWESOME!

Suck on that Jack Thompson!!

Ok, that is pure AWESOME!

Suck on that Jack Thompson!!

I know, right. But the medic training in AA almost put me to sleep, seriously.

Dang, that's pretty cool!
Still, no offense to Mr. Paxton, but I learned the same thing in Boy Scouts.
Wether I would have preformed as smoothly is another story...

Why does that whole article read to me like an ad for America's Army?

Ok, that is pure AWESOME!

Suck on that Jack Thompson!!

This is actually great news for the likes of Jack Thompson. If video games are so effective an educational tool, then surely they can teach the little kids how to operate weapons with a high degree of accuracy as well.

The general "Video Games == Violence" argument is pretty weak, but the spin potential here is fantastic. It's like Christmas all aver again for the Thompson crowd. "Medical sims are OK, but clearly the learning potential presented by video games makes it all the more important that we remove guns from games, now." Something like that.

This is actually great news for the likes of Jack Thompson. If video games are so effective an educational tool, then surely they can teach the little kids how to operate weapons with a high degree of accuracy as well.

The general "Video Games == Violence" argument is pretty weak, but the spin potential here is fantastic. It's like Christmas all aver again for the Thompson crowd. "Medical sims are OK, but clearly the learning potential presented by video games makes it all the more important that we remove guns from games, now." Something like that.

If Joe McCarthy couldn't beat the Army, what makes you think Jack Thompson stands a chance?

If Joe McCarthy couldn't beat the Army, what makes you think Jack Thompson stands a chance?

**polishes Certified 100% Grade-A Pessimist badge**

Why does that whole article read to me like an ad for America's Army?

Planned government car crash anyone?

Click Stand;13382364']Planned government car crash anyone?

:D

Thats hilarious.

The story was pretty awesome, though this was clearly a guy who got way to into his video games... he was able to recite the exact section of tutorial? Wow... maybe he should've gone to med school.

Great story anyway though.

I really am impressed, since almost everyone i know who has devoted significant energies to video games would serve as examples to the contrary.

Wow! Pretty awesome, he really should go to med school!
Planned government car crash anyone?
CONSPIRACY!
Why does that whole article read to me like an ad for America's Army?
Well, it IS free...:D

He stopped at the site of a car crash? Must be a Scientologist...

So....

Playing Eve online means I now have the skills required to fly really spacecraft? Awesome.

Way to go video games. Pity he was playing America's Army. I bet everyone involved in that project is having a huge propaganda-gasm that some recruit will have to clean up.

Why does that whole article read to me like an ad for America's Army?

Probably because it soon will be.

Does this mean if i play enough Sonic i get better at digging holes in the ground?
Well done that man, shows the internet can be useful for some things, other than killing time.

Play Black And White long enough and you'll actually become a god.

Does this mean if i play enough Sonic i get better at digging holes in the ground?
Well done that man, shows the internet can be useful for some things, other than killing time.

All I know is that from hours of playing Half-Life 2; I'll be well prepared for when the zombie alien menace strikes. Just like I learned that an MIT degree in Theoretical Physics is good for pluging in... plugs.

He stopped at the site of a car crash? Must be a Scientologist...
Scientologists who play video games are the best sort of people, it's true.

Does this sound like bullshit to anyone else?

Play Black And White long enough and you'll actually become a god.
Only if you need the practice. *polishes nails*

I've actually played through America's Army, and in the training missions they actually make you complete tests on how to treat injured and wounded people professionally, so the story is plausible.

If he had spent more time playing the Grand Theft Auto series, he would have known how to steal an ambulance and drive injured people to hospitals for a cash reward.

What a dummy.

If he had spent more time playing the Grand Theft Auto series, he would have known how to steal an ambulance and drive injured people to hospitals for a cash reward.

What a dummy.

:p

OK, America's Army actually DOES teach you first aid. You sit through a lecture on first-aid techniques. And before you hit the mute and zone out, I warn you - there's a written test you have to take.

EVE Online wouldn't teach you how to fly spaceships. However, you could learn military leadership (if you command ops). Most MMOs could teach this. Even first-person shooters could teach players squad-level tactics, while strategy games train the generals of tomorrow.

Does this mean if i play enough Sonic i get better at digging holes in the ground?
Well done that man, shows the internet can be useful for some things, other than killing time.

No no no no... if you want to get better at digging holes in the ground, you play Lode Runner.

No no no no... if you want to get better at digging holes in the ground, you play Lode Runner.

Oh, ftw!

No no no no... if you want to get better at digging holes in the ground, you play Lode Runner.

Especially when chased by red robed monks.

"Welcome to the offices of Economic and Manpower Analyses here at our historic and sprawling West Point Academy campus! My name is Mindy! It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to a loving father of three (and a champion of the sanctioned use of armed force in pursuit of policy objectives). Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the project director of our newest recruitment strategy; our mission to staff future combat systems through current technologies. Without any further ado, I give to you Colonel Casey Wardynski!"

"Thank you! Let me begin with some sentimental appeals to our national myths; assorted clichés coined by the state; the ideological shorthand meant to sweep your private doubts [away] of this virtual training course. This portal; this Trojan Horse that you living idiots paid for and actually rolled into your own kids’ rooms."

"Oops, did I just say that out loud? Oh, well, it’s not like it’s something new. It’s just the logical extension of the decades of bilge water that you’ve let us pump into your homes. The pink noise that hums away in the background while you run the gauntlet we force on you everyday. The billowing candy floss that helps to soften the blow. Deep down you’ve always known that your children already belong to us, so why don’t you cut the outraged parent routine, shut your mouth and get back in your seat. Your children already belong to us. What are you? You will pass on. And they won’t know a fucking thing but this 'community,' this real life Ender’s Game. Forget what you think you know. Forget what you think you know."

Does this sound like bullshit to anyone else?
Like the "Wii makes you stop being a couch potato"?

"Welcome to the offices of Economic and Manpower Analyses here at our historic and sprawling West Point Academy campus! My name is Mindy! It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to a loving father of three (and a champion of the sanctioned use of armed force in pursuit of policy objectives). Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for the project director of our newest recruitment strategy; our mission to staff future combat systems through current technologies. Without any further ado, I give to you Colonel Casey Wardynski!"

"Thank you! Let me begin with some sentimental appeals to our national myths; assorted clichés coined by the state; the ideological shorthand meant to sweep your private doubts [away] of this virtual training course. This portal; this Trojan Horse that you living idiots paid for and actually rolled into your own kids’ rooms."

"Oops, did I just say that out loud? Oh, well, it’s not like it’s something new. It’s just the logical extension of the decades of bilge water that you’ve let us pump into your homes. The pink noise that hums away in the background while you run the gauntlet we force on you everyday. The billowing candy floss that helps to soften the blow. Deep down you’ve always known that your children already belong to us, so why don’t you cut the outraged parent routine, shut your mouth and get back in your seat. Your children already belong to us. What are you? You will pass on. And they won’t know a fucking thing but this 'community,' this real life Ender’s Game. Forget what you think you know. Forget what you think you know."

Forgive my ignorance but, what are you talking about? Are you making a criticsim of the army?
You also repeated yourself at the end.
Are you talking about the neo-marxist belief started by Antonio Gramsci, Hegemony? That everything we do is part of some conspiracy to keep the workers of the country amused while the rich play about?
Because i can think of a few criticisms of that idea.

If he had spent more time playing the Grand Theft Auto series, he would have known how to steal an ambulance and drive injured people to hospitals for a cash reward.

What a dummy.

/thread

Well, it IS free...:DIt is? I distinctly remember them changing that.

I really am impressed, since almost everyone i know who has devoted significant energies to video games would serve as examples to the contrary.

Contrary as in they wouldn't be able to save lives or as in they would try to end lives?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Ok, that is pure AWESOME!

Suck on that Jack Thompson!!

*nods*

But I mean just because I click/press R1 doesn't mean I can accurately faim,fire,and reload and M16,or M1 Garand. I've never shot an RPG at a Supercobra. Presented with this situation in real life, playing Call of Duty 4 doesn't make me that much more qualified to do so.

As a matter of fact I could read about guns all say on the web,and in books,then play hours of videogames, watch hours of shows and training footage on guns, but without actually firing a gun in at a shooting range and practicing I don't know how'd accurate I'd be. You have to do something to get good at it.

Besides I didn't say oh man CoD4 is so awesome as a matter-o-fact I'm gonna run to the nearest recruiting center join the Marines and go to Iraq! Or shoot up a mall, or drive around recklessly, or join the Italian national soccer team, or start a band.

Contrary as in they wouldn't be able to save lives or as in they would try to end lives?

As in, their dedication/devotion to video games would preclude them from developing/maintaining their own healthy lives and relationships.
i.e., ruining lives :p

Could have picked a way better game to emulate

I am glad these people survived but as a game AA was C grade at best