Player credits America's Army for mad first aid skillz
by Jason Dobson 
{ Jan 18th 2008 at 10:55AM }
Video games are a detriment to society, haven't you heard? Apparently Paxton Galvanek didn't get the memo. As the first on the scene at a traffic accident last November, the 28-year old gamer helped two individuals out of an overturned SUV on a North Carolina interstate and began treatment on their wounds, which ranged from cuts and bruises on the passenger to the driver, who suffered head trauma as well as the loss of two fingers. Impressive, particularly since Galvanek credits the combat medic training he completed in America's Army for the PC for teaching him the skills needed to treat the victims.The America's Army team notes that it designed the game's training scenarios in order to help prepare young adults for similar real world events. We don't know how much stock we place in first responders whose skillset can be traced back to a first-person shooter, but in this case at least it all worked out famously. Now, we just wait for a situation when having an accomplished Javelin missile operator on the scene will produce similarly welcome results.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paragraph @ Jan 18th 2008 11:03AM
Indeed this is quite common, infact, i sucessfully defended an antitrust lawsuit against microsoft just by brushing up on my Pheonix Wright.
OBJECTION!
But seriously, i don't find it that hard to belive, basic first aid is, contrary to popular misconception, baisc.
The two fingers might not be something to scoff at, but everything else seems like something a boy scout would know.
But umm... yeah, that homie be trippin over them bitchez from them mad skillz up in his grill. Right?
F-Forward @ Jan 18th 2008 11:29AM
Whoa, you got something there! And here I have been thinking that basic first aid was just basic, and not baisc! You learn something new here every day!
;)
seanwagner @ Jan 18th 2008 12:22PM
Thats amazing.
Ted @ Jan 18th 2008 11:30AM
Hmm...
The problem I have with crediting positive actions to video games is that if you do so, you must also be willing to blame negative actions as being taught through video games...
ThornedVenom @ Jan 18th 2008 11:42AM
Such as? We have yet found proof that violence could be taught through videogames (or any more than other mediums, such as collective sports).
But I do understand your point. And I'd support it if we had a story relating to a negative action requiring knowledge taught through a videogame. If a videogame taught you how to, for example, accurately build a bomb then I'd agree with you.
Warlord @ Jan 18th 2008 11:44AM
Well, people already are blaming bad things on games. Might as well go with it and say that good things come from it too.
But American's Army, while the actual treatment of injuries is as simple as hitting the "use" key on your target, to train to be ABLE to treat someone, they actually sit you down in a virtual classroom, with an NPC speaking while showing slides of injuries, and what treatments. At the end, they have a multiple choice test, and won't let you proceed until you do well enough on the tests.
I was scared I wouldn't remember what to do to treat players in the "hands-on" section, until I found out you just "use" the person. :)
Saria the Cat @ Jan 18th 2008 1:59PM
I don't see how giving positive credit to video games makes them just as viable for negative credit. Saying "milk is nutritious and studies have shown they strengthen bones" doesn't invite people to barge in and say, "then it must also have the power to kill people, too!"
Anyway, positive publicity for video games can't be bad. Especially when there is only negative publicity these days.
Durandel @ Jan 18th 2008 5:06PM
There is a difference.
If a game teaches me how to use a first aid kit and how to use a gun, it won't turn me into a doctor, OR a serial killer.
The argument is that games somehow brainwash people into committing acts of violence. But just because you learn HOW to do something through a video game (although games don't generally teach you how to load and properly use a firearm, for example), doesn't mean that you'll do it.
k04sm02 @ Jan 18th 2008 11:34AM
hmmmm that worries me. i've known first aid and CPR for over 5 years and even I wouldn't really want someone who learned it from a videogame trying it out on me. granted, there's a wide range of what he actually picked up from the game and whats common knowledge, but good for him regardless.
It would just make me a bit worrisome if someone was like "dont worry, youll be fine, im a level 40 combat medic" or something.
at least people arent trying surgery from Trauma Center
Bucket @ Jan 18th 2008 11:45AM
Yeah. Nothing sucks more than invasive heart surgery for your torn hamstring.
James @ Jan 18th 2008 1:28PM
I don't know... If I was in an overturned SUV missing two fingers and possibly bleeding to death from it, I wouldn't scoff at any help I could get if there wasn't a trained EMT there.
aaron_k7 @ Jan 18th 2008 11:41AM
What is there to say? This is a cool story. Reminds me of the kid who saved himself from a bear attack by playing dead...one of the skills he learned from playing WOW.
StarFoxA @ Jan 18th 2008 11:44AM
It was a moose attack, dude. They are sooooo much more dangerous than bears.
aaron_k7 @ Jan 18th 2008 11:51AM
Point taken...but honestly, both animals are able/willing to kill...you must admit.
StarFoxA @ Jan 18th 2008 11:44AM
I fought off a robber with star bits.
Evil Closet Monkey @ Jan 18th 2008 11:46AM
Would pointing out that removing the two occupants from the SUV is the *last* thing an untrained passerby should do be too much of a downer? Especially the one with head trauma! Unless the truck is on fire or ready to tip over a cliff, you call for help and stabilize the people inside -- meaning you keep them from moving.
Kudos for the good deed, but you stand a much better chance of hurting then helping someone if you try to help them in an injury situation without the proper training. Training missions in America's Army don't count. :P
k04sm02 @ Jan 18th 2008 11:52AM
you said it much better than i did. but thats exactly my point.
Saria the Cat @ Jan 18th 2008 2:04PM
Depends on how flaming the car wreckage is and how much it is crushing the victims to death. I'd rather be rushed out of my death trap SUV pronto than say, "Wait, wait. America's Army, did you say? I'd rather stay here and wait for the paramedics while I burn alive before letting you help me."
Ron @ Jan 18th 2008 3:47PM
Actually the article clearly said he removed them from the smoking vehicle. Head trauma or not, when you believe truck could blow up, it's the right move.
Nice work by this guy.
colin @ Jan 18th 2008 10:12PM
i think this is all common sense. if the vehicle is smoking and everyone is conscious, get them out. depending on where the fingers were severed, place a tourniquet. elevate. keep them conscious and calm. dress the head wound if it is bad enough.
ThornedVenom @ Jan 18th 2008 11:46AM
http://xkcd.com/218/
jack shaftoe @ Jan 18th 2008 11:51AM
First at the scene of an accident? How did he beat Tom Cruise there? Is this gentleman a scientologist?
Norm @ Jan 18th 2008 1:59PM
I don't get that joke.
WiNG @ Jan 18th 2008 2:10PM
In a video circulating the interwebs, Tom Cruise recently claimed that Scientologists, more than anyone else, would be willing to stop at the scene of an accident to help the victims.
NATO_Duke @ Jan 18th 2008 12:08PM
I want to credit AA with teaching me to go prone for best results firing a 203. Thanks AA!
jarjarwang @ Jan 18th 2008 12:10PM
I go prone at the first signs of trouble.
Mike @ Jan 18th 2008 2:01PM
Quick, someone send Jack Thompson this link.
WiNG @ Jan 18th 2008 2:10PM
Luckily he wasn't a WoW player or he probably would have ninja'd their loot.
Graham @ Jan 18th 2008 4:26PM
if you have every played americas army and gone through the medic training, it is scary how accurate the training. Everything you learn in the game's medic training is identical to what is taught in the real world.
Matt @ Jan 18th 2008 11:15PM
Judging by many of the comments here, I think most people here are unaware how detailed the medic training in America's Army is.
To qualify for the training, as well as a few other in-game ranks and unlockables, players must participate in a training session that includes a fairly long lecture and quiz on a variety of subjects.
It's great to see this information helped someone out.