LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — One drill weekend a month and 15 days of Annual Training is not a lot of time for traditional reservists to maintain their readiness status but members of the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron have maximized their time by incorporating the SimMan 3G into their training days.

SimMan 3G, is an advanced patient simulator that provides a wide range of scenarios allowing for real time responses and life-like training.

“The pupils can dilate, the sweat glands can be activated and it even has blue lights to simulate that the patient’s lacking oxygen,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Maiorano, 944th ASTS medical technician. “Jason allows us to practice the most basic skills to the most advanced, from a cough to compressions to IV’s. One mannequin can function with all the capabilities.”

The 944th ASTS has had the simulator, also known as Jason, since 2011.

“In the beginning he was mainly used in-house, meaning just our unit,” said Senior Master Sgt. Katherine Soehnen, 944th ASTS nursing services superintendent. “However, over the years Jason has flourished to provide quality training to 944th units, 56th Medical Operations Squadron, Army, Navy, Marine, and our local police force as a result of our Joint Medical Operation Training Initiative program.”

Since having Jason, the different units have taken advantage of the seemingly endless capabilities of one machine.

“Our [simulator] has the ability to provide continuing education units training which in turn allows us to maintain our Emergency Medical Technician license,” said Soehnen. “The simulations also offers us a platform for junior Airmen to demonstrate skills during upgrade training.”

Traditional Reservists who only have monthly unit training assemblies to accomplish certain tasks have especially benefited from Jason.

“Time is of the essence,” said Soehnen. “Therefore, Jason really comes in handy for our upgrade trainees. We can spend half the day practicing or demonstrating our skills and then immediately turn around and document this training in our Air Force training records.”

It has the ability to challenge students and build confidence in patient care, she added.

When asked about Jason’s limitations, Soehnen only had one.

“Well he can’t walk, so I guess that would be a limitation,” she said. “But he can sure talk up a storm!”