JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- With the arrival of a state-of-the-art medical mannequin on May 6, 2025, the 87th Medical Group has elevated its readiness training, offering personnel across disciplines the opportunity to practice life-saving skills in highly realistic scenarios at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The mannequin’s cutting-edge features enable medical warriors across multiple disciplines to practice highly realistic medical emergency scenarios.
The Laerdal SimMan 3G Plus Manikin, features difficulty modes, light-sensitive pupils and simulated bleeding, providing the 87th MDG personnel with progressive ways to fortify their skills, giving them the ability to provide the most advanced care.
“The 87th Medical Group's upgrade to the Laerdal SimMan 3G Plus Manikin embodies its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare through agile and innovative operations,” said Tech. Sgt. Danielle Miller, 87th MDG flight chief of education and training.
The Laerdal SimMan 3G Plus Manikin enables 87th MDG personnel to practice responding to life-like situations.
“The mannequin can help Airmen train from the basic Emergency Medical Technician level through the physician level,” said Meg Miller, Laerdal Medical educational services specialist. “Users can insert a chest tube, intubate the mannequin and perform more advanced techniques like needle decompression.”
One of the more realistic features of the mannequin is the operator’s ability to speak through a microphone simulating patient feedback.
“The feedback is from the realistic features, including lung, heart, and bowel sounds,” said Meg Miller. “The user can categorize, give medicine and fluids, and talk to the mannequin.”
Additionally, the user can see results in the moment from the mannequin’s simulated vital signs.
“Resources like this mannequin allow us to practice skills that we may not see on a day-to-day basis here at the 87th Medical Group,” said Tech. Sgt. Miller.
Although primarily an outpatient facility, the 87th MDG serves as one of AMC’s largest paramedic platforms, making regular skills training imperative to mission success.
“This dynamic platform fosters optimal readiness by enabling teams to hone critical thinking, refine teamwork and maintain peak proficiency, ultimately ensuring the prioritization of people and delivery of optimal care, always,” said Tech. Sgt. Miller.
As the inaugural users practiced a scenario on the mannequin, they were able to work together to diagnose the issue and work through it in the most authentic way possible.
“The mannequin can also cry,” said Meg Miller. “Even though it doesn’t seem like an important thing, it does give sort of an emotion to it.”
The personification of the mannequin aids the user in treating the device like an actual patient. To further humanize the mannequin, Tech. Sgt. Miller explained that they surveyed the team for a name, with Noah Pulse emerging as the winning choice.
Through training and feedback with the newly acquired SimMan 3G Plus Manikin, the 87th MDG demonstrated its ongoing commitment to innovation and mission readiness.
“This crucial training strengthens our ability to respond quickly and effectively to medical emergencies across the installation, further ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” said Tech. Sgt. Miller.