A virtual reality training platform for CBRN operators in a decontamination procedure

Among the fields that could benefit more from the introduction of new technologies, education has indeed a primary role, as witnessed by the amount of literature in the field. This is particularly true when the considered technology is immersive Virtual Reality (VR), which enables the creation of computer-generated experiences where users are completely immersed in a virtual world. VR offers a series of advantages for education, like the possibility to deploy realistic simulations of real-world phenomena or procedures, in which users can face life-threatening situations without the corresponding risks, use replicas of expensive instruments without damaging them, be automatically trained or evaluated by the computer systems without the need of a real instructor, and cooperate (without moving) with other users in different locations. In brief, VR simulations are non-expensive solutions that can be used to reduce risks, costs and can simplify the organization of training sessions without compromising the overall learning performance, as seen in various studies published in recent years. Thanks to these advantages, immersive VR simulations are particularly useful for training first responders, i.e., operators that put their lives on the line and take action in case of disasters (floods, fires, contaminations, etc.). Based on the above considerations, this paper presents an immersive VR application for training CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) operators in the Contamination Control Area (CCA) procedure, which consists of a series of actions performed to clean and decontaminate other operators that may be exposed to potentially dangerous agents. Due to these characteristics, operators performing this procedure must be well-trained; however, real-world training has some limitations, mainly related to the impossibility to expose the trainees to real agents. The devised VR application aims to address these issues by providing a configurable simulation where trainees can experience all the steps of the procedure: preliminary check for contamination, preliminary decontamination, removal of potentially exposed clothing (shoes, uniform, mask, gloves), final check for contamination. The application was developed to be experienced with Head-Mounted Displays (HMDs), whereas the interaction was designed targeting both VR controllers and free hands (through hand tracking). The devised application also integrates an evaluation module that can be used for assessing the acquisition of learning outcomes and offer feedback on each phase of the procedure. A validation of the application has been performed with domain experts, in preparation for an evaluation of training effectiveness and a comparison against real-world practice. In the future, the goal is to certificate it and integrate it as a complementary tool to real-world training and exercises.