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Monte Carlo Safety
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NEW GM OEM Neutral Safety Switch Impala Regal Monte Carlo Cutlass 15705308 Chevy US $14.99
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Boss BV7320 In-Dash 3.2-Inch DVD/MP3/CD Widescreen Receiver with USB (Detachable Front Panel) List Price: $229.00 Sale Price: Too low to display |
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NTSC/PAL compatible monitorPLL synthesized AM/FM tuner with 30 station presetsSwitchable USA/Europe radio frequenciesCompatible with audio output of iPod and other MP3 playersCD mute function/last position memory/intro scan1-Bit D/A converter/8x oversamplingESP (anti-skip mechanism)Subwoofer output (BassMax)Dual (front and rear) RCA outputsRear view camera inputIncludes wireless remote control Swap your OEM receiver for something a bit more versatile. The BV7320 plays a variety of disc formats, including DVDs, CDs and VCDs. You can also enjoy your WMA/MP4/MP3 digital files, whether from burnt discs or via the receiver's USB port or SD Card slot. Video looks great on the 3.2-inch screen, and you can easily add a rear view camera to your vehicle. Swap your OEM receiver for something more versatile. Click to enlarge. Brilliant 3.2-inch monitor with 1440 x 234 pixel resolution. Front-panel USB port and auxiliary input. 3.2-Inch Monitor The single-DIN BV7320 features a drop-down, detachable front panel with a 3.2-inch widescreen TFT monitor. The brilliant monitor features a 1440 x 234 resolution, and an on-screen display that makes navigating features a breeze. Enjoy Your Media The BV7320 will play back your DVDs/SDVDs, SVCDs/VCDs, CDs, CD-R/Ws, and WMA/MP4/MP3 files. The ESP anti-skip mechanism ensures your music or video isn't interrupted by any bumps in the road, and playback features such as a mute function, intro scan, and last position memory are all included. When listening to digital files, enjoy full ID3 tag display of artist/track info. Dial in the sound with separate bass and treble EQ controls, along with balance/fader. USB and SD Connectivity The BV7320 features a front-panel USB port and SD Card jack, so you can instantly switch out USB thumb drives or SD cards with a fresh batch of MP3 tunes/podcasts/etc. AM/FM Radio Enjoy your favorite radio programming with the PLL-synthesized tuner, featuring 30 station presets for instant access to your preferred stations, and switchable USA/Europe radio frequencies. Auxiliary Input The convenient front-panel auxiliary input (3.5mm mini jack) is a great way to enjoy audio from your iPod, MP3 player, or other external audio devices. Power and Expandability The BV7320 provides 50 Watts through four channels to start, and if you'd like to expand your system, use the front/rear and subwoofer preamp outputs to add external amplifiers. Rear View Camera Input Add a rear view camera for safety and convenience when your vehicle is in reverse. Remote Included A wireless remote control is included for convenient control of the system. What's in the Box BV7320 Receiver, Wireless Remote, Mounting Hardware, User's Manual |
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Pyle PLTS77DU 7-Inch Single-DIN In-Dash Motorized TFT/LCD Touchscreen Monitor Receiver with DVD/CD/MP3/MP4/USB/SD/AM-FM/RDS List Price: $506.99 Sale Price: Too low to display |
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If you're looking for a dependable DVD receiver, the single-DIN Pyle PLTS77DU is a great choice. With a 7-inch touchscreen, USB port, SD/MMC card slot, playback of MPEG4/MP3/WMA/JPEG files, and room to grow, it's a perfect start that won't break the bank. A full-featured 1-DIN DVD receiver that won't break the bank. Click to enlarge. Detachable front panel. Full-featured remote included. 7-Inch Touchscreen The PLTS77DU features a motorized slide down front panel that reveals a 7-inch, color TFT touchscreen. Control everything from the brilliant LCD, with complete on-screen controls of DVD and other media. Your video will look great thanks to the 1440 x 234 pixel resolution. DVDs and More Enjoy playback of your favorite DVDs, CDs, and VCDs in the slot-loading DVD player. Or play back MP3/WMA audio files, MPEG4 video, or view JPEG images from disc, USB, or SD Card. Dial in your sound with the standard treble, bass, balance and fade controls and DSP equalizer settings. AM/FM Radio Listen to your favorite radio programming with the AM/FM Radio with PLL Synthesizer Tuner. Instantly access your favorite stations with 18 FM and 12 AM presets. Connectivity Use the A/V Input to connect external audio and video devices, and use the SD/MMC card slot and USB port to play back your MP3 or MPEG4 files if you don't feel like burning a disc. Room to Grow The PLTS77DU packs 320 Watts (4 x 80 Watts), but if you want more you can expand your system thanks to four channels of RCA preamp output and a subwoofer output. An A/V Output lets you connect an external monitor for the folks in back, and you can also add a rear view camera for safety and convenience. Wireless Remote Included Control the action with a handy remote. What's in the Box Pyle PLTS77DU Receiver, Remote Control, Installation Hardware, User's Manual Features: 7'' 16:9 Wide Screen TFT/LCD Display Motorized Drop Full Detachable Front Panel Touch Screen (Graphic Screen Allows Easy Control of Operations By Touch) NTSC PAL Compatible Treble /Bass/Balance/Fader/Encoder/Volume Control Picture Control: Brightness/ Contrast/Chroma/Hue Resolution: 1440x234 Pixels/ Brightness : 400nits Electronic Screen Angle/ Position Memory USB/SD-MMC Reader MP4/JPEG/MP3/WMA Playback Repeat/Program/Random/Intro Play AM/FM-MPX Stereo Radio Switchable USA/Europe Radio Frequency Clock Function ESP Function Anti-Vibration/Shock Protection Auto Memory Store/Preset/Scan Support DVD/VCD/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 Parking Video Output DSP Equalizer Control/Rock/Classic/Pop 30 Preset Stations Memory (18FM/12AM) 4 Channel RCA Preamp Output Front panel AUX Input (Ipod/MP3) Subwoofer Output Full Function Wireless Remote 320 Watts Total Output (4 x 80 Watts) UNIT Dimensions: 7.09''W x 7.01''H x 1.97''D |
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Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD 5.8-Inch In-Dash Touchscreen Double-Din DVD Multimedia A/V Receiver List Price: $450.00 |
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The Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD in-dash double-DIN DVD multimedia AV receiver features a 5.8-inch widescreen display and plays back DVD video, DivX, and MP3/WMA/iTunes AAC. It also features iPod direct control (CD-IU50V required) and is Bluetooth-adapter ready (CD-BTB200 required). Now Playing in a Dash Near You This is what drive-in movies were supposed to be. Audio/video players improve on CD players by adding a large touchscreen. With features like touch-slide control and improved iPod interface, taking your favorite movies, music, and other media on the road is better than ever. Pioneer's AVH-P3100DVD in-dash navigation AV receiver features DVD playback and built-in Bluetooth. Click to enlarge. Controlling your movies and music has never been easier with the slick touch-panel display. Back connections of the Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD. Now playing in a dash near you: Your calls, CDs, DVDs, iPod, and more. I Can See Clearly Now The 5.8-inch widescreen touchscreen on the AVH-P3100DVD allows you to enjoy all of your music and videos in style. Sick of having to search through your music song by song? Now you can scroll through your music at the touch of a finger. iPod Made Easy Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the CD-IU50V iPod cable, and you're ready to rock and roll. Touch-slide scrolling, alphabetical high-speed search, album art, and improved link search make it easy to find your music. Bring Your Music to Life Hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of your highly compressed MP3, WMA, and AAC files. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, Pioneer can make your music sound close to CD quality. Smooth Operator Controlling your movies and music has never been easier. With a smooth swipe of your finger on the touch-panel display, you can fast forward and rewind audio/video content. (Note: The touch-slide fast forward/rewind function is not available on iPod.) Now it's Personal Select among five display colors and 112 key panel illuminations to match your car's interior lighting, color, and design. You even can set your favorite JPEG file as wallpaper. Parked with no place to go? Now you can enjoy a slideshow of your photos on a CD or USB device. Get the Blues Fed up with your Bluetooth headset? Here's a better hands-free solution. Use the available CD-BTB200 Bluetooth adapter and your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone for easy, safe, and hands-free operation. The unit acts like a speakerphone, channeling the sound through your car speakers, which makes the call sound better. It also automatically mutes your music so that you'll never miss a call. (Note: CD-BTB200 adapter is required.) Other Features The AVH-P3100DVD also includes features that are designed to expand your system, customize your experience, and provide both superior sound quality and easy operation, such as: built-in AUX input for your media devices; two RCA high-Volt pre-outs for adding external amps and speakers; built-in MOSFET 50 W x 4 amplifier for excellent sound quality, minimal distortion, and efficient power handling; and supertuner IIID advanced analog and digital processing to ensure superior imaging, less distortion and noise, and stronger, smoother broadcast signal reception. What's in the Box Pioneer AVH-P3100DVD, wiring harness, installation hardware, operation manual, installation guide, warranty sheet Pioneer Avh-P3100Dvd 5.8-Inch In-Dash Touchscreen Double-Din Dvd Multimedia A/V Receiver |
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Network Reliability and Resilience (SpringerBriefs in Electrical and Computer Engineering) |
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This book is devoted to the probabilistic description of the behavior of a network in the process of random removal of its components (links, nodes) appearing as a result of technical failures, natural disasters or intentional attacks. It is focused on a practical approach to network reliability and resilience evaluation, based on applications of Monte Carlo methodology to numerical approximation of network combinatorial invariants, including so-called multidimensional destruction spectra. This allows to develop a probabilistic follow-up analysis of the network in the process of its gradual destruction, to identify most important network components and to develop efficient heuristic algorithms for network optimal design. Our methodology works with satisfactory accuracy and efficiency for most applications of reliability theory to real âlife problems in networks. This book is devoted to the probabilistic description of the behavior of a network in the process of random removal of its components (links, nodes) appearing as a result of technical failures, natural disasters or intentional attacks. It is focused on a practical approach to network reliability and resilience evaluation, based on applications of Monte Carlo methodology to numerical approximation of network combinatorial invariants, including so-called multidimensional destruction spectra. This allows to develop a probabilistic follow-up analysis of the network in the process of its gradual destruction, to identify most important network components and to develop efficient heuristic algorithms for network optimal design. Our methodology works with satisfactory accuracy and efficiency for most applications of reliability theory to real -life problems in networks. |
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Stochastic Systems: Uncertainty Quantification and Propagation (Springer Series in Reliability Engineering) List Price: $279.00 Sale Price: $275.00 |
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Uncertainty is an inherent feature of both properties of physical systems and the inputs to these systems that needs to be quantified for cost effective and reliable designs. The states of these systems satisfy equations with random entries, referred to as stochastic equations, so that they are random functions of time and/or space. The solution of stochastic equations poses notable technical difficulties that are frequently circumvented by heuristic assumptions at the expense of accuracy and rigor. The main objective of Stochastic Systems is to promoting the development of accurate and efficient methods for solving stochastic equations and to foster interactions between engineers, scientists, and mathematicians. To achieve these objectives Stochastic Systems presents: A clear and brief review of essential concepts on probability theory, random functions, stochastic calculus, Monte Carlo simulation, and functional analysis Probabilistic models for random variables and functions needed to formulate stochastic equations describing realistic problems in engineering and applied sciences Practical methods for quantifying the uncertain parameters in the definition of stochastic equations, solving approximately these equations, and assessing the accuracy of approximate solutions Stochastic Systems provides key information for researchers, graduate students, and engineers who are interested in the formulation and solution of stochastic problems encountered in a broad range of disciplines. Numerous examples are used to clarify and illustrate theoretical concepts and methods for solving stochastic equations. The extensive bibliography and index at the end of the book constitute an ideal resource for both theoreticians and practitioners. |
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Bayesian Reliability (Springer Series in Statistics) List Price: $119.00 Sale Price: $86.39 |
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Bayesian Reliability presents modern methods and techniques for analyzing reliability data from a Bayesian perspective. The adoption and application of Bayesian methods in virtually all branches of science and engineering have significantly increased over the past few decades. This increase is largely due to advances in simulation-based computational tools for implementing Bayesian methods. The authors extensively use such tools throughout this book, focusing on assessing the reliability of components and systems with particular attention to hierarchical models and models incorporating explanatory variables. Such models include failure time regression models, accelerated testing models, and degradation models. The authors pay special attention to Bayesian goodness-of-fit testing, model validation, reliability test design, and assurance test planning. Throughout the book, the authors use Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms for implementing Bayesian analyses -- algorithms that make the Bayesian approach to reliability computationally feasible and conceptually straightforward. This book is primarily a reference collection of modern Bayesian methods in reliability for use by reliability practitioners. There are more than 70 illustrative examples, most of which utilize real-world data. This book can also be used as a textbook for a course in reliability and contains more than 160 exercises. Noteworthy highlights of the book include Bayesian approaches for the following: Goodness-of-fit and model selection methods Hierarchical models for reliability estimation Fault tree analysis methodology that supports data acquisition at all levels in the tree Bayesian networks in reliability analysis Analysis of failure count and failure time data collected from repairable systems, and the assessment of various related performance criteria Analysis of nondestructive and destructive degradation data Optimal design of reliability experiments Hierarchical reliability assurance testing |
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PYLE PLBWS210 Dual 10-Inch 1000 Watt Bandpass with Neon Woofer Rings List Price: $257.99 Sale Price: Too low to display |
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Two 10 High Power 4 Ohm Subwoofers Blue Neon Silhouette Woofer Rings Silver Polypropylene Cones Specially Treated Rubber Egde Suspension 2Aluminum Voice Coil Bandpass Alignment for Extra Deep Bass Quick Connect Input Terminals Plexiglass Front Window 1000 Watts Max Power Handling 2 Tuned Ports Frequency Response: 35Hz-1k Hz Dimensions: 13H x 25.5W x 14D |
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Marksman Beeman Silver Bear Air Riffle (1783) List Price: $92.39 Sale Price: $74.74 |
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Sold as one unit. (1 unit = each.) 177 caliber. Pellets (not included). Break-barrel spring piston powdered. Monte Carlo stock with ambidextrous check piece. Sporter "grade" trigger with automatic safety. Professionally mounted 4 x 20 wide angle scope. All metal receiver & barrel. Precision rifled steel barrel. Competition muzzle brake for accuracy. 500 f.ps. muzzle velocity. Boxed. Manufacturer number: 1783. SKU #: 8135964. Country of origin: (TBA). Distributed by Marksman Products. |
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Haurex Italy Women's PY360DY1 Monte Carlo Double Crystal Bezel Ring Luminous Watch List Price: $325.00 Sale Price: $325.00 |
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The "Monte Carlo" watch by Haurex Italy is classic in style with a touch of feminine accents. The round silver bezel is accented with a double circle of clear rhinestones. The contrasting striking yellow dial is marked with silver Arabic numeral hour markers. Hour, minute and second luminous hands allow you to tell the time with ease. A yellow three link plastic bracelet holds tight to your wrist with a fold-over-clasp with a push button for safety. This watch is sure to be your go to accessory when dressing up or down. |
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Boss BV9560B 7-Inch DVD/MP3/CD Widescreen Bluetooth Receiver with USB and SD Card List Price: $528.00 Sale Price: Too low to display |
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Boss BV9560B 7? Double-DIN Touch Screen Widescreen Monitor/Receiver with Bluetooth® The double-DIN BV9560B from Boss Audio Systems is an affordable way to add DVD entertainment to your vehicle. Enjoy playback of DVDs, CDs, SVCDs, and VCDs. Includes both a USB port and SD/MMC card slot for quick enjoyment of digital media (MP3/WMA/MP4) as well, along with an AM/FM radio with 30 presets. A side panel auxiliary input and rear A/V input let you connect external multimedia devices, and you can expand your system with front and rear preamp outputs and a rear-view camera input. Last, but certainly not least, the BV9560B is Bluetooth-equipped, so you can make hands-free calls with your compatible cell phone. An affordable way to add DVD entertainment to your vehicle, along with built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling. Click to enlarge. Front-panel USB port for playback of digital media. Full-featured remote included. Built-in Bluetooth Make and receive hands-free calls thanks to the BV9560B's Bluetooth technology. If your phone features voice dialing, you can use a connected microphone to access that feature as well. 7-Inch Touchscreen The BV9560B features a 7-inch, color TFT touchscreen. Your widescreen video will look great thanks to the 1440 x 324 pixel resolution and high brightness. DVDs and More Enjoy playback of your favorite DVDs, CDs, SVCDs, and VCDs in the slot-loading DVD player. You can also play MP3/WMA audio or MP4 video from a disc, or directly from a USB or SD card. Dial in your sound with the treble, bass, balance, and fade controls. AM/FM Radio Listen to your favorite radio programming with the AM/FM Radio with PLL synthesized tuner. Instantly access your favorite stations with 30 presets. Plenty of Connectivity Use the auxiliary input to connect external audio devices, such as iPods and MP3 players, or use the rear A/V input for external video components (game systems, etc.). The SD/MMC card slot and USB port let you play back your MP3/WMA or MPEG4 files if you don't feel like burning a disc, so you can quickly switch out your favorite tunes on the fly. Room to Grow The BV9560B delivers 85 x 4 watts, enough to get things shaking--but if you want more, you can always expand your system thanks to dual (front and rear) RCA preamp outputs. You can also add a rear-view camera for added safety and convenience. Wireless Remote Included Control the action with a handy remote. What's in the Box Boss BV9560B Receiver, remote control, USB cable, installation hardware, user's manual, and warranty card. |
Here are some more information for Monte Carlo Safety:

DUBAI
Dubai's popularity has soared in recent years, as it has developed as a holiday destination. Boating has been central to this development. Among Dubai's attractions are three man-made islands that contain many yachting facilities. Billions of dollars have been spent on the harbour developments in this tax free city in the United Arab Emirates. It is without doubt the boating centre of the Middle East. Its world class facilities can cater for boats of all types, from mega yachts to fishing boats. Dubai has 49 miles of natural coastline, but once you include the three man-made islands, the coastline comes to over 900 miles.
PHUKET
Nicknamed 'Pearl of the South', Phuket in Thailand is surrounded by the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean. It consists of coves, bays, palm fringed sandy beaches, spectacular waterfalls, limestone formation and beautiful landscape and scenery. It is famous for its wonderful beaches and seafood. Yachting is a popular activity in Phuket, as are other water activities such as speed boating, deep sea fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving. It has become a haven for yachting in recent years, and is now considered by many as the premier yachting destination in Asia. The marina hosts all types of yachts from all over the world, and the Phuket King's Cup Regatta is the biggest yearly sailing event in Asia.
MONTE CARLO
Monte Carlo is possibly the world's most famous yachting destination. It is known for its Mediterranean climate, international casino and beautiful marina. It is one of the most picturesque places on earth, lying at the foot of the Alps and along the Mediterranean Sea, allowing spectacular views of both. It offers mild winters and warm summer, so is never too hot or too cold. It has a glorious history, and lies in the Principality of Monaco, to the South of France. Monte Carlo is also famous for its sporting events, such as the world's most famous Grand Prix, an international Tennis event, and the Monte Carlo Rally. It is also famous for its many Casino's.
CANNES
Cannes is most famous for the annual Cannes Film Festival. It is situation in the South of France, a short car ride from the Nice International Airport. It has very good transport links, as it is one the main railway line that runs from Marseille to Nice, Monte Carlo and into Italy. Cannes is situated in a large bay on the French Riviera that welcomes yachts and sailboats all year round. The city hosts a boat show every year, which is followed by the Royal Regatta's, that take place on the Bay of Cannes and brings together old vessels and the world's most majestic sailboats. Popular activities in Cannes include swimming, sailing and shopping.
MIAMI
Miami is one of America's most loved holiday destinations. It is well know for its Sandy Beaches and Art Deco buildings. It is a cosmopolitan and modern city full of attractions to suit all. It is famed for its nightlife, with numerous restaurants and nightclubs. Water plays an important part in Miami's landscape with its islands off the mainland and the world famous South Beach. Yachting is a popular activity, and there are many yachting options available including Casino Cruises, which as the name suggest, consist of a casino on board a yacht.
Andrew Marshall (c) Luxury Yacht Charter
A simulating idea … The use of simulation in training
The use of simulation as a training tool is not new; indeed, it has been used since the 1900s to enhance the overall learning experience. The most well understood use of simulation is flight simulators in the aviation industry.
Several minutes into US Airways A320 Flight 1549 from LaGuardia Airport, N.Y. to Charlotte, N.C., the Captain was put in a position where a difficult decision had to be made: could he guide his US Airways plane to a small airport from just 1,600 feet above the Bronx or would he have to attempt a ‘landing’ in the Hudson River? In the end, he had no choice. Captain Sullenberger executed a text-book landing in the Hudson River. The wings were perfectly balanced, the speed of the aircraft was slow enough to not tear the aircraft apart, and so the Captain was able to save the lives of 155 people. Of course, it didn’t take long for Internet bloggers to claim that they had been landing planes in the Hudson River on Microsoft Flight Simulator for years!
Pilots must spend time on simulators. They have no choice. In simulators, pilots are presented with a problem or scenario and then asked what to do next - to which they must respond as they would in real life. A range of routine emergencies are practiced on a regular basis, for example: engine failures, wind shear, total hydraulic failure and two-engine loss at high altitude. Simulators also allow pilots to practice ‘not so normal’ emergency situations which are all undertaken in the safe confines of a land-based computer controlled flight simulator.
Military use of simulation is also well understood. For years US and Australian military forces have trained together in simulation exercises known as Tandem Thrust to enhance their military skills and develop better cooperation. Tandem Thrust 2003 provided training for a maritime-based commander and staff in crisis action planning and for execution of contingency operations. It involved approximately 8,000 personnel.
Military exercises occur every year. Exercise Cooperative Spirit 2008 was a multinational exercise intended to test and improve interoperability and strengthen ties amongst American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand armed forces. This multinational exercise provided a realistic, counterinsurgency-based, Afghanistan-focused environment, used to test and improve interoperability and ultimately prepare units for coalition combat operations.
Stories emerge from battlefields around the globe where troops are fighting in real-life. Most stories link the strength of our military forces (and their successes) to the highly professional and sophisticated training methods we use.
The investment made in simulation appears to be paying significant dividends in the airline industry and in the military; but can simulation deliver benefits to the broader community or other industries within it?
To answer these questions we must take a step back and look at the history of simulation, its application and its use as a training tool.
What is simulation?
Put simply, simulation is a training tool. The term training is used deliberately. In my view simulation is a planned activity and training is something you do, while learning is something that happens. Of course, people learn while they are training; indeed, the use of simulation creates a synthetic learning environment for participants.
While there are many learning activities that can contribute to a person altering or improving their knowledge, skills and attitudes, the objective of using simulation is to train a person through planned activities.
Simulation-based training generally focuses on the ‘application’ of knowledge. This is the key to understanding its importance. It is one thing for a pilot to learn the theory of landing a plane in a river, but it is another thing to actually apply this acquired knowledge without having practiced it in a controlled environment. Through simulation it is possible to train a pilot to land a plane in a river.
Tips for landing your plane in a river
(Source: John Ladd, Pilot, American Airlines)
- Land the airplane as slow as possible without stalling
- Catch both engines in the water at the same time.
(Note: Hit one wingtip first, and you will ‘cartwheel’ the plane) - Keep the landing gear retracted
- Extend the wing slats and flaps
- Maintain the optimal glide speed
- Set the tail of the plane into the water first
- Land as soft as possible and as slow as possible.
(Note: If the nose is too low and going too fast, you risk flipping the plane tail-over-nose)
Fidelity of training
Simulation is a ‘synthetic’ environment; however, it is made to represent reality. The term fidelity is commonly used to describe the extent to which a simulation replicates the reality. For example, the flight simulators used to train Qantas pilots are considered ‘high-fidelity’, i.e. the simulators look, feel and behave like a real plane.
To create a synthetic learning environment that mimics reality, a significant investment must be made. The extent of investment depends on the subject matter and level of fidelity and resources needed. On 14 October 2008, Captain Mark Ford guided the new $300 million Qantas Airbus A380 in for touch-down at Perth International Airport for the first time. He had been trained on the plane's $34 million flight simulator so that he could confidently carry out this activity in real-life.
Simulation does not necessarily need to be high-fidelity in order for it to be effective. Role play is a common low-fidelity simulation technique. Role play involves a scenario set by the facilitator where training participants are assigned different roles. The roles assigned to participants usually relate to their real-life role; however, this form of simulation also provides an opportunity to ‘act out’ a role not normally performed by the participant in real life. Role play simulations can sometime use external (professional) actors to increase the level of fidelity (e.g. in the health sector).
One important outcome from simulation is that participants are given the opportunity to consider a scenario from the perspective of others. This opportunity can result in the development of a greater level of sensitivity when working in the real-life environment. The corollary is that simulation can also be used to challenge the conventional way of doing things, assumptions, attitudes and working environment.
In their research paper - A Comparison of Simulation-Based and Conventional Training Methods - Experience Builders llc conclude with the following statement: “A sizable body of research suggests that simulation-based training is generally superior to conventional training methods”. Their paper highlights how participants in simulation-based training can: achieve a deeper understanding of the subject matter, retain knowledge for longer periods of time, display a greater level of interest in the subject matter and be better able to transfer their learning experience to their job than participants using conventional training methods.
More and more organisations are turning to simulation-based training to produce meaningful outcomes.
Advances in technology
Flight simulators are very effective. The 9/11 Commission in the US concluded in 2004 that those responsible for flying the planes into World Trade Centre and Pentagon had used PC-based flight simulators during training.
Flight simulators have been in existence for a long time. Pilots of the first powered aircraft trained by proceeding through a graded sequence of exercises; i.e. they used simulation-based training back in the early 1900s.
Over time, there have been significant advances in technology. Computers entered our everyday lives in the 1960s. Those computers had less processing power than the typical modern mobile phone. Today, computers can recreate virtual environments - clearly demonstrated in flight simulators.
Flight simulators come in many shapes and sizes. Even the most basic home computer can be turned into a powerful flight simulator which can download real-time weather data to ‘fly’ in; fly to thousands of different airports; simulate numerous aircraft types; offer multiplayer ‘games’, operate within a virtual airport and also facilitate online talking with other ‘pilots’. These simulators use real charts and ‘navigate’ using typical instruments and aviation navigation beacons.
It is also possible to include moving cars, trucks, boats, and other aircraft into the surrounding environment as you fly. Finally, you can even join the Virtual Pilots Association.
Today, no airline would dream of sending their pilots up without simulation-based training. The use of these high-fidelity simulators has been so successful it is firmly established as a training tool in pilot certification programs throughout the world.
Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have also entered the simulation scene, one of the largest exercises in Australia being Mercury 04. This multi-jurisdictional counter-terrorism simulation was designed by the National Counter-Terrorism Committee. The objective was to exercise the Australian, state and territory government agencies' ability to prevent, respond to and recover from terrorist threats and acts of terrorism simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions, testing Australia’s approach to national security and the National Counter-Terrorism Plan.
The exercise ran from 22-26 March 2004 and was Australia’s largest and most ambitious counter-terrorism exercise ever undertaken. It encompassed four jurisdictions, with the primary jurisdictions being the Northern Territory and Tasmania, and secondary jurisdictions being Victoria and South Australia.
A simulation such as Mercury 04 enhances capability, understanding and agency interoperability and contributes to the effectiveness of any response to a real terrorist event.
Two things emerge when one analyses the well-understood simulation environments created for pilots and military/law enforcement participants:
- participant ‘immersion’ (i.e. whether the simulation is being taken seriously) is critical. Without it, reality is missing, and
- simulation-based training is particularly useful in high-risk environments.
Simulation in the Healthcare industry
It makes sense that healthcare professionals are embracing simulation as a highly-effective training tool. Simulation in this environment seems blindingly obvious to the mere mortal – why not practice on a synthetic mannequin before trying out the new surgical procedure on a patient?
When you scrape the surface, there are some more interesting (but less well-known) uses of simulation being deployed in the healthcare environment. Firstly, there are two distinct forms of training in healthcare:
- technical skills training, and
- non-technical skills training.
Technical skills training typically relates to the following:
- patient assessment and clinical diagnostic reasoning
- judgment and decision-making regarding therapy, and
- procedural knowledge and skills relevant to execution of medical procedures.
Simulation facilitates technical skills training in a risk-free environment.
Non-technical skills training is effectively ‘soft skills’ training which is used to develop practitioners so that they may manage sensitive situations surrounding medical procedures. A simple example of a non-technical skill is the ability to sensitively break bad news to a patient’s family. Non-technical skills are also recognised skills underpinning safe and effective clinical practice.
In the healthcare environment, simulation technologies can involve the use of:
Mannequins - Life-like aspects of people and situations are generated by a mannequin. This can also include ‘theatrical’ interaction of actors and props with mannequins to present high fidelity simulations.
Synthetic Models - These allow users to practise technical skills on synthetic tissue.
Virtual Reality - Where a realistic environment is reproduced on a computer display. The user interacts using instruments similar to those used in real life. Sometimes the realism can be improved by the addition of other sensory inputs, such as tactile (haptic) or auditory feedback.
Haptics - Where tactile information is fed back to the participant; for example, the feel of surgical instruments on tissue.
Actors - The use of real people who role play (act) to reproduce a real-life scenario.
Part-task trainers - Part-task trainers break a skill down into its component parts, which the trainee then practices. They allow repeated practice of individual skills while developing competency and confidence.
Augmented reality - A combination of real-life and virtual objects.
(Source: Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Reproduced and modified with permission)
Teaching methods used within a simulation include (but are not limited to) the following:
Scenarios - Using any of the simulation technologies to enact whole events or components of events.
Case-based - Using other formats including written and oral presentations to present scenarios.
Role play - Using any of the simulation technologies to enact interactions between people, for example, in the health industry by health professionals, patients and the community.
Procedural training - Using any of the simulation technologies as a platform from which to conduct a procedure.
Multimodal formats - Refer to activities which integrate two or more discrete teaching methods or curricula which use a variety of specific formats to address specific individual training objectives.
Debriefing and reflection - To ensure participants maximise training outcomes.
(Source: Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare. Reproduced with permission)
Advantages of simulation-based training
In the health industry, there are many advantages that arise from using simulation-based training.
- The risk to patients or trainees is removed.
- Many scenarios can be presented, including uncommon but critical situations in which a rapid correct response is needed.
- Participants can see the results of their decisions and actions; errors can be allowed to occur and reach their conclusion (where in real life a more experienced clinician would have to intervene) so that trainees might be permitted to learn from their mistakes without undesirable consequences.
- Identical scenarios can be presented to different clinicians within teams.
- When using mannequin simulators, clinicians can use actual medical equipment, exploring the ergonomics of the human-machine interface.
- With full re-creations of actual clinical environments, complete interpersonal interactions with other clinical staff can be explored and training on teamwork, leadership, and communication provided.
- Intensive and non-intrusive recording of the simulation session is feasible, including audio taping, videotaping, and even physiological monitoring of participants (such as ECG or EEG). There are no issues of patient confidentiality and the recordings can be preserved for research, performance assessment, or accreditation.
- The use of simulation makes the learning experience highly realistic.
(Source: Gaba D. Anesthesiology as a model for patient safety in health care, British Medical Journal 2000; 320:785-8)
In his thesis Virtual Reality Simulators in Surgical Education undertaken at the University of Sydney in 2006), Dr Peter Cosman observed that surgical practice is changing in three fundamental ways:
- Surgical technique is evolving rapidly.
- The general public are becoming increasingly aware of aspects of healthcare provision that impact on outcomes, and are demanding high standards of highly trained health professionals.
- Workforce and resource issues diminish training opportunities for specialists-in-training, but do not address questions of how to train more specialists in a broader spectrum of practice in a shorter period of time with decreased resources and without causing adverse outcomes for patients.
Medical technology and innovation in procedures has evolved since the beginning of mankind; and it is not expected to stop evolving anytime soon.
His final two conclusions ring very true in the current political landscape. The general public and Ministers react to (very disturbing) news stories of deaths, serious injuries and emotional distress when the health system fails. The general public and the people directly involved then get caught in the standard Health System Crisis Cycle – a cycle of health system failure, media attack, political reaction, blame attribution, enquiry outcomes and band-aid measures until the next failure starts the cycle again.
In all the news surrounding patient safety, the general public find it difficult to understand why attention isn’t being paid to quality training. Dr Cosman succinctly concluded in his paper: “There is no doubt that simulation has a significant function in this environment”.
Simulation is being used to improve patient safety
For all the bad news that emerges from Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia there are many goods news stories that go unheard.
At about 3:00am on the morning of 1 May 2008 a half-cabin marine vessel, allegedly stolen from its berth at Balmain overnight, was hit by a trawler heading out to sea off Bradleys Head in Mosman, NSW.
Dr John Vassiliadis, an Emergency Medicine Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital (Sydney), was on-call; however, sound asleep when his pager sounded. He awoke to a crisis. As reported in the media, the nine survivors were taken to Royal North Shore Hospital, while five were killed. Dr Vassiliadis quickly prepared himself for a difficult day at the office.
Dr Vassiliadis applied all his skills, both technical and non-technical, to deal with the situation at hand which involved serious injuries, traumatised patients, distressed family and friends, media interest, politicians and the health bureaucrats from all corners of the system. When a crisis happens, everyone wants to be kept ‘fully informed’.
On that day, the patients, families, friends, and the health system was very fortunate to have Dr Vassiliadis involved. Not only is he a highly regarded clinician, but he also delivers the Emergency Medicine Crisis Management (EMCM) course for the Sydney Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre. Developed and run by specialists in Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia, this course prepares doctors to manage serious acute problems in the Emergency Department.
This course provides an interesting insight into contemporary training techniques used in the healthcare sector. Not only does the course encompass technical skills training, recognition is given the importance of non-technical skills training - the latter being just as important in the context of healthcare, particularly in events such as the one mentioned earlier.
Crisis Resource Management (CRM) - Seven Key Behaviours
1. Know your environment
2. Prepare and plan
3. Call for help early
4. Take a leadership role
5. Allocate attention wisely and use all available resources
6. Prioritise and distribute the workload
7. Communicate effectively
(Source: Sydney Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre)
Developments in the Healthcare sector
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing provided funding for the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH) to conduct a project in non-technical skills training in synthetic learning environments. This project will conclude in April 2009.
In their Request for Tender[1]to engage a consultant for this project, ASSH state, “overall, simulation is under-utilised by all specialties”. One of the stated project objectives is to inform specialist colleges about simulation-based training for non-technical skills and the potential to incorporate this into training curricula.
The Request for Tender identifies that - “even the specialties that have adopted simulation can do more to integrate its applications into the implementation of training curricula”. It also states - “Factors contributing to low utilisation include:
- low awareness of its potential
- low engagement by stakeholders
- inadequate understanding by curriculum designers and clinical teachers of how it can be incorporated into curricula and training activities
- lack of knowledge of factors underpinning purchasing decisions and evaluation of its impact and value for money
- perceived or actual lack of infrastructure, funding and other resources, and
- a lack of awareness of, or access to, appropriate learning technologies and facilities”.
The adoption of new approaches is always challenging and the Request for Tender acknowledges that “new practices will be more successfully adopted and sustained if a strategic approach is employed”. One objective of the ASSH project is to see simulation better utilised by increasing awareness amongst stakeholders, engaging early adopters to champion it and drive change within their specialty and establishing a sustainable model for delivery which overcomes some of the identified obstacles.
The Commonwealth are also supporting other related initiatives.
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, through its Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures – Surgical (ASERNIP-S), was engaged by the Commonwealth Government in 2007 to undertake research into the use of simulation in surgical skills training. The programme, which will conclude at the end of 2010, aims to evaluate different classes of simulation to determine the utility of each in a variety of settings. Professor Guy Maddern, ASERNIP-S Surgical Director, states in the Annual Report 2007 “this important initiative will enable the College over the next three years to define the curriculum and infrastructure support required to provide simulation environments to trainees and Fellows at a variety of sites around the nation”.
These projects are timely in the context of new investment in the healthcare sector.
Show me the money
The Final Report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Acute Care Services in NSW Public Hospitals by Peter Garling SC, 27 November 2008 identified a health system in a period of crisis. The report is known as the Garling Report.
NSW Health: A typical day
(Source: The Garling Report)
On a typical day for NSW Health across the state of NSW, there will be:
- an ambulance responding to an emergency 000 call every 30 seconds;
- 6,000 patients arriving at Emergency Departments seeking treatment;
- 4,900 new people being admitted as an in-patient at a hospital;
- 17,000 people occupying a hospital bed of whom 7,480 are over 65 years old;
- 7,000 separate procedures performed; and
- $34 million spent on providing care in public hospitals and for the health of the people of NSW.
Many recommendations contained in the report focused on the need for increased or expanded workforce training capacity and capability. Not surprisingly, simulation was featured in recommendations to enhance skills training. It is worth noting that Garling described NSW hospitals as “good by world standards, in many cases ranking towards the top, but too often unable to deal with the sudden increase in patients, the rising cost of treatment, and the pressures on a skilled workforce spread too thinly and too poorly supported in the dozens of administrative tasks which take them away from their patients”.
The National Health Workforce Taskforce was established in 2006 by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). In November 2008, COAG agreed to an unprecedented health workforce reform package of $1.6 billion – the single largest investment in the health workforce ever made by Australian governments. It comprises $1.1 billion of Commonwealth funding and $540 million in State funding. Amongst this was a $175.6 million investment in capital infrastructure to support training of the future health workforce, including funding for the construction of new and mobile high-tech simulated learning environments and the expansion of education and training facilities at major regional hospitals.
The cheque made out to: Greater use of simulation in the healthcare sector appears to be in the mail. The challenge will be to implement a coordinated approach to leverage the considerable simulation experience already evidenced in the healthcare sector. A national framework would surely serve to improve outcomes for the general public; however, the challenge may be too great for the system to deal with.
With the benefits of simulation being formally recognised in a high-risk sector; and with simulation being used for non-technical skills training, perhaps it is worth exploring the use of simulation in management training.
Simulation in management
A quick search on ‘Simulation in Management Training’ in Google will result in masses of gunk (that’s Google Junk for short); however, when you start wading through it, a number of areas emerge where simulation is being used:
- Project Management
- Disaster Management
- Event Management
- Incident Management
- Call Centre Management
- Business Strategy & Planning
- Safety & Risk Assessment, and
- Corporate governance and business ethics.
There are countless business game providers. According to one provider, “A policy game offers the ultimate in business education”. While the marketing hype is sometimes hard to take, the complexities of live exercises can be overcome to a large extent through use of integrated gaming and simulation models that allow staff to train across multiple levels and even across multiple organisations to be exposed to the same scenario.
The Simulation Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) exists to advance the research, development, and use of simulation technologies and practices in Australian industry, academia and government. A key activity of the Association is to host SimTecT - the annual Simulation Technology and Training Conference.
At SimTecT 2008, David Urquhart, Macquarie Graduate School of Management (Sydney) and Associate Professor Debbie Richards, Macquarie University (Sydney) demonstrated that the Monte Carlo simulation is an effective way to value a bundle of Human Resource Management (HRM) policies. According to their paper, “the field of HRM addresses issues such as staff costs, performance and turnover – all of which have a basis in uncertainty”. Urquhart and Richards used the GoldSim Monte Carlo simulation software to underpin the project. See www.goldsim.com for more information on this software.
This project served to demonstrate that simulation can be used to model business management scenarios and has the advantage of not interrupting operations. Importantly the modelling demonstrated that simulation software can make it easier for business people to understand and experiment with simulation models.
Many organisations currently reacting to the Global Economic Crisis could be utilising simulation techniques to model the consequences of change. Both economic and social outcomes could be tested. Indeed simulation could also play a role in training those involved in the fall-out from decisions effecting large numbers of people. Just how many senior executives have been trained appropriately to react to angry staff, a media pack and the politician looking for a head to roll?
Approach to simulation
There doesn’t appear to be a prescription for the perfect approach to developing and conducting a simulation. The SIAA website (www.siaa.asn.au) contains a vast amount of material to reference when considering using this training tool.
Simulation should be approached on the basis of:
Planning
The scope of developing and conducting a simulation can be a substantial project – even for a low fidelity approach. The design of course, the resources needed, the tasks which need to be identified and coordinated and the quality assurance all contain significant effort.
Investment
The total effort required to develop and conduct a simulation can be a significant cost. The business case to support this investment must be sound to in order to secure resources needed.
Resources
The human resources, administration systems, simulation technology, infrastructure, facilities and related costs with utilisation of each can add up. Such an investment can require high-level stakeholder support.
Support
In any decision-making process there will be a variety of stakeholders involved. Critical stakeholders are the decision makers, essential stakeholders are those who influence critical stakeholders and those who remain are less important (but not necessarily useless). It is vital that critical and influential stakeholders are ‘on-side’.
The planning, total investment and resources needed means a simulation will need to be supported by those whose opinions count. It is therefore important to undertake careful stakeholder analysis to ensure you gain the right level of support needed.
Conclusion
Simulation is now recognised as a high effective training tool. By default, the exercise must simulate reality; therefore, immersion by participants is critical. Examples presented in this paper highlight the results that can be achieved when simulations are properly planned, investment is made, resources are used effectively and support is gained.
The use of simulation in the Military, Law Enforcement and Healthcare sectors has paved the way for other private and public sector organisations to make greater use of this training tool in its workforce development programmes.
[1] Request For Tender (ASSH/001/07), issued by Queensland Health on behalf of the Australian Society for Simulation in Healthcare (ASSH)
About the Author
Anthony is an executive with more than 20 years’ experience in private and public-sector organisations, including eBusiness and IT advisory roles; political experience with executive positions on the staff of two Australian Prime Ministers; account management; marketing; procurement; and senior project management roles.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyrowley
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