America’s Army Helps Save People

On the heel of word that doctors are using the Wii to get better, America’s Army announced that its flagship game has served as an effective training tool for a longtime America’s Army player who became a first responder at a tragic car accident last November. He employed life-saving techniques that he learned by playing the game, apparently. Paxton Galvanek (28) credited the combat medic training he completed in the game, teaching him the “critical skills” he needed to evaluate and treat the victims at the scene.

The game has players go through virtual medical training classes based on actual training soldiers receive. According to their story, Galvanek mastered the basics of first aid and had the confidence to take appropriate action in real-life because of the training he received in the game. After the incident, Galvanek wrote the America’s Army team to thank them for including the medical training in the game. He said, “I have received no prior medical training and can honestly say that because of the training and presentations within America’s Army, I was able to help and possibly save the injured men. As I look back on the events of that day, the training that I received in the America’s Army video game keeps coming to mind.”

So, to all you budding doctors: play Wii as well as America’s Army.