CHANDLER, Ariz. — April 29, 2024 — VirTra, Inc. (Nasdaq: VTSI) (“VirTra”), a global provider of judgmental use-of-force training simulators and firearms training simulators for the law enforcement and military markets, announced its participation at the International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) Conference and Exhibition in Orlando from April 29 to May 1, 2024. As a first-time vendor, VirTra will introduce its new V-XR headset training solution at the event, highlighting its advanced functionality and ability to meet diverse training demands, particularly in healthcare settings.

The IAHSS Annual Conference and Exhibition is a key event for healthcare’s top security, safety, and emergency management leaders to network, meet with vendors, and find solutions for their challenges. This year, VirTra joins the expo to demonstrate the effectiveness of its new V-XR training solution, a compact, lightweight headset training simulator with a focus on de-escalation scenarios. The headset features hyper-realistic characters created using volumetric video capture and pass-through to reduce motion sickness for the user.

VirTra’s recent entry into the healthcare market began last month when it partnered with Ascension St. John Hospital (“Ascension”) to equip its team with advanced training simulators. VirTra’s V-180 was a practical application of Ascension’s grant funds.

Darrel Long, Director of Security for Ascension Oklahoma, noted the impact, stating, “We can implement frequent training in scenarios representing our environment. The V-180 is a tremendous asset and allows all security officers within the Ascension St. John Health System to ensure patient and associate safety.”

Ascension also reported the system’s success in a recent case study, available to download on VirTra’s website. The study highlights the simulator’s wide range of training scenarios and how it allows the entire staff, not just the security team, to practice skills that keep them safe.

As VirTra’s role in healthcare security expands, multiple other healthcare organizations have already adopted its technologies. Ohio Healthcare PD, TriHealth Cincinnati, Marion Hospital in Indiana, Indiana University Hospital, Health First Security in Florida, and several VA locations have begun training their teams using VirTra simulators.

John Givens, CEO of VirTra, stated, “Every day, medical providers around the country go beyond the call of duty for their patients. VirTra supports every initiative within our capabilities to ensure the security of hospital staff while on the job. With our V-XR training solution, we are not only enhancing safety in healthcare environments but also demonstrating its cross-market functionality, allowing us to begin expansion beyond our core law enforcement and military markets. I’m confident that the training provided by our simulators will instill a renewed sense of safety among hospital staff, patients, and their visitors.”

VirTra’s entry into healthcare security coincides with an increase in unruly and sometimes violent behavior directed at healthcare providers. A 2022 report from the American College of Emergency Physicians revealed a significant increase in healthcare violence, with 55% of physicians surveyed saying they had been physically assaulted while at work. With the increased demand for hospital security, VirTra is stepping up to provide advanced use-of-force, de-escalation, and other forms of simulator-based training to its healthcare partners.

About VirTra, Inc.

VirTra (Nasdaq: VTSI) is a global provider of judgmental use of force training simulators and firearms training simulators for the law enforcement, military, educational and commercial markets. The company’s patented technologies, software, and scenarios provide intense training for de-escalation, judgmental use-of-force, marksmanship, and related training that mimics real-world situations. VirTra’s mission is to save and improve lives worldwide through practical and highly effective virtual reality and simulator technology. Learn more about the company at www.VirTra.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information in this discussion contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that we make. The forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this document are made based on our current expectations, forecasts, estimates and assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, you should specifically consider various factors, uncertainties and risks that could affect our future results or operations. These factors, uncertainties and risks may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement set forth in the reports we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties described and other information contained in the reports we file with or furnish to the SEC before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

 

Investor Relations Contact:

Matt Glover and Alec Wilson

Gateway Group, Inc.

VTSI@gateway-grp.com

949-574-3860

 

According to a 2022 report for the American College of Emergency Physicians, 55% of
physicians taking the survey said they have been physically assaulted while at work, and 79%
have witnessed an assault. Unfortunately, violence and threats are common in medical facilities,
and security must be prepared to protect healthcare providers.

Most hospitals employ a security team, and like traditional law enforcement officers, hospital
security must undergo effective training to perform their duties proficiently.

VirTra is a company that provides advanced training simulators to law enforcement, military,
security, education, and medical industries. Hundreds of organizations across 40 countries use
VirTra simulators. Ascension St. John is the first private healthcare facility to obtain a VirTra
simulator.

The Ascension St. John Health System currently employs over 40 security officers trained in
security procedures, communication, de-escalation, and active shooter events. The safety of
their patients, guests, and associates is a top priority, so these officers must be prepared for
active threats, even if they occur infrequently.

In 2022, Ascension St. John Health System secured the VirTra simulator through the FEMA
Nonprofit Security Grant Program, a program designed to promote emergency preparedness
coordination and collaboration among public and private community representatives and state
and local government agencies. Healthcare industry facilities services provider, Medxcel,
facilitated the grant application, procurement, and installation processes.

“As part of our emergency management program, we help our healthcare locations apply for
federal grants that help pay for damages after a disaster, grants that help reduce risk, such as
hazard mitigation and security grants, and manage the required paperwork and reports.”
explained Scott Cormier, Vice President of Emergency Management, Environment of Care, and
Safety at Medxcel. “In the past six years, we’ve received approval for over $110M worth of
grants. These grants are even more important as healthcare systems continue to recover from
the worldwide impact of COVID-19 and find capital funds are limited.”

The three-screen VirTra V-180® decision-making simulator was installed in January 2024,
allowing users to practice for many interactive scenarios reflective of real-life situations. The
simulator features a large library of scenarios that offer various pathways to resolutions.
Scenarios pivot based on the officer’s responses, and actions and numerous training points can
be covered, including contact and cover, mental health/autism awareness, crisis de-escalation,
active threats, and many more.

Dynamic decision-making scenario-based training allows the security team to practice
numerous skills in a safe environment. Before receiving the simulator, Ascension St. John
Health System security officers would train in a classroom, practice handcuffing techniques or
spend time at a shooting range.

“We can implement frequent training in scenarios representing our environment. This is a
tremendous asset and allows all security officers within the Ascension St. John Health System
to ensure patient and associate safety.” Darrel Long, Director of Security for Ascension
Oklahoma stated.

Not only will the security team benefit from this system, but other staff members will be able to
experience situations, potential outcomes, and de-escalation techniques. By understanding the
possibilities of what could occur and how to respond, the rest of the hospital team can see how
the actions employed by the security team ensure a safe environment.

About VirTra, Inc.
VirTra (Nasdaq: VTSI) is a global provider of judgmental use of force training simulators and
firearms training simulators for the law enforcement, military, educational and commercial
markets. The company’s patented technologies, software, and scenarios provide intense
training for de-escalation, judgmental use-of-force, marksmanship, and related training that
mimics real-world situations. VirTra’s mission is to save and improve lives worldwide through
practical and highly effective virtual reality and simulator technology. Learn more about the
company at www.VirTra.com.

About Medxcel
As the largest sole provider of healthcare facilities services in the U.S., Medxcel delivers
operational savings, reduces supply chain costs, and increases compliance scores by
optimizing current resources and improving the overall healthcare environment.

About Ascension St. John
Ascension St. John operates six hospitals and more than 90 healthcare clinics and facilities in
eastern Oklahoma and southeastern Kansas. Ascension St. John employs approximately 4,500
associates. In fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023), Ascension St. John
provided more than $79 million in total community benefit and unpaid costs of Medicare
services, including care of individuals living in poverty. Serving Oklahoma for 98 years.
Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate,
personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most
vulnerable. Ascension is one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S.,
operating 2,600 sites of care – including 142 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Download a pdf copy here:

Virtra_ASJ Case Study 2024

TASER® training is essential for law enforcement, as most police agencies in the country (and around the world) utilize these less lethal devices. However, properly training with live ECWs can be difficult, time intensive, and expensive.

Instead of limited less lethal training, police officers can receive training in the full range of less-lethal tools inside high-fidelity simulators. VirTra’s simulation training is designed to be realistic and to provide transferrable training.

Less Lethal Training

Realism for TASER training is created through a combination of on-screen characters and VirTra’s TASER simulation cartridges.

Your Axon TASER can be utilized in the simulator for training. By replacing the live cartridge with VirTra’s laser-based training cartridge, training can be done safely in your simulator. When officers deploy their ECW, the characters on screen react accordingly. From training in this manner, officers become more comfortable with less lethal options and reduce training scars by using the real tool.

Certified Curriculum for TASER Training and Weapon Transitions

VirTra’s NCP-certified TASER Targeting curriculum for law enforcement provides coursework for instructors to train officers on when to use their TASER and how to aim and deploy properly. A part of V-VICTA® coursework, instructors have access to training manuals, testing material, surveys, and more.

Additionally, the Weapon Transitions course helps officers switch from lethal to less lethal and vice versa. As shown in the video above, the user can switch tools depending on the level of threat presented. This training can help to prevent weapon mix-ups.

Want to learn more about our less lethal training options? Contact a product specialist here! Also, check out our YouTube channel to see other ways of maximizing your training simulator.

*AXON, TASER, X2 and X26P are registered trademarks of AXON ENTERPRISE, INC which can be referenced here.

With all the conditions and variables that occur on the field, shouldn’t your training reflect as many of them as possible? Not every room has lights on or available, and the sun is down for about half of each day. It is for this reason that VirTra made sure that low light training is available for both marksmanship training and scenario training.

Training Benefits

We don’t realize the benefits of a well-lit space until we are without one. In the dark, stress levels go up and even with the beam of a flashlight, there are still areas we cannot see. Looking for a subject that is on the move and possibly dangerous in a dark place is a great way to increase officers’ cognitive load and help them make the right decisions under stress.

Additional training points include using a handheld flashlight while suddenly having to get your lethal or less-lethal tool. What if you have to transition weapons while holding your handheld flashlight? Going from lethal to less-lethal or vice versa is a vital skill to practice, with even more challenge if it is done in low light.

Low Light in Scenarios

Many people are only familiar with the variable light settings in V-Marksmanship. In fact, you can make any scenario a low light one. For example, in the new Mass Chaos active threat scenario, you can dim or eliminate light as if the power went out, adding an extra element of uncertainty.

Of course, to combat this just as one would in real life, users can pull out their flashlight. VirTra’s V-G2X handheld flashlights utilize laser technology to light up the direction it is pointed in. V-Lux™ technology allows the beam to smoothly go from screen to screen for agencies with multi-screen systems. More than one flashlight can be used at a time, making it just as useful for training multiple officers at once.

Low Light in Marksmanship

Along with the variable weather conditions, wind speed/direction, and layout of our simulated ranges, instructors can also control the lighting. It can be nighttime on the range in your VirTra simulator, with the only light to rely on being your rifle-mounted flashlight.

Just like with the handheld flashlight, the V-TLR-7A rail mounted flashlight allows for efficient transitions between screens without interruptions. Since both lights utilize the OEM housing, there will not be training scars as it perfectly replicates one of the popular rail mounted flashlights.

Situations do not often occur under perfect conditions. Make sure your officers are prepared for low light events – plus many others that VirTra has available. Talk to a specialist to incorporate a VirTra simulator into your agency’s training regimen.

Impact rounds are a less lethal option used to stop and subdue a subject. The type of munition varies – standard impact rounds, foam, or impact/gas combination. The impact rounds are often fired by launcher or shotgun type weapons. Most law enforcement agencies around the country use some type of less lethal impact projectile.

You may have heard the controversies around shotgun beanbag rounds – their velocity has caused much more harm than intended in a few situations. This has caused some departments to question or even eliminate the use of beanbag shotguns as a less lethal tool.

In 2022, multiple police agencies in Arizona announced that they would be discontinuing the use of beanbag rounds after subjects had significant injuries well beyond what is intended. Reportedly, the velocity of shotgun beanbag rounds was tested and determined to be too high, causing a likely risk of serious bodily harm.

Impact Launcher Rounds for Simulation Training

The 37MM and 40MM impact launcher munitions are an alternative to beanbag rounds that are supported in VirTra’s simulators. Laser-based simulation impact rounds are placed into the user’s 37MM or 40MM and can be used to stop a noncompliant subject. On-screen characters will react realistically depending on how and where they are hit.

The risk of death from using an impact round is statistically low, but there are ways to make it lower. Proper shot placement is crucial to avoid hitting a person in the chest, ribs, or throat. Knowing the areas not to target and developing the targeting skills need by putting in simulated practice hours is key. Keeping in mind shot placement, hitting an arm, leg, or the lower abdomen would certainly hurt – but not likely cause significant injury.

Try training in scenarios such as “Protest Trouble” where you must control an unruly crowd that refuses to calm down.  The deployment can be replicated to provide the repetitions necessary inside a rich context to make the training stick.

 

To learn more about the accessories and less lethal options VirTra can provide, contact a specialist.

In de-escalation training for police officers, it is vital for them to prepare for situations that require less-lethal options. CEW devices and OC sprays are both important assets to officer’s belts and practicing utilization of these devices within realistic scenario training is sure to have them prepared for the field.

VirTra developed an un-tethered, true-to-life way for departments to train with their less-lethal options. With our Axon® TASER® and SABRE® compatible technology, officers can train with their own devices within the simulators for maximum realism. VirTra ensures that de-escalation police training is taken to the highest standard.

 

TASER® Compatibility

Part of what makes VirTra training so unique is that we are the only company in the U.S. that is able to provide a laser-based training cartridge used inside simulation for the TASER® line! VirTra offers variety in our TASER compatible products, providing three separate cartridge products that drop into the TASER simulator housings.

V-X26P™ TASER Simulation Cartridges

This TASER simulator cartridge’s probe spread is accurately displayed just like in real life, no matter how far the trainee is away from the screen.

V-TX2™ TASER Simulation Cartridges

This cartridge contains a seven-degree probe spread allowing precise and accurate target engagement.

V-T7™ Simulation Cartridges

VirTra’s newest TASER simulator cartridge contains a 12-degree probe spread that is ideal for close-quarter (CQ) engagement. The other includes a 3.5-degree spread for farther distance targets.

Though unique in their own ways, each model is able to assign unique laser IDs to track and score each probe placement. Upon deployment, the on-screen simulation characters will react accordingly providing trainees a realistic view of their target proficiency and de-escalation skills. Trainees are then able to evaluate their performance, continue to practice and always continue to improve through VirTra’s de-escalation training for police officers.

 

SABRE® Compatibility and More

VirTra also developed a Axon Taser a laser OC device that fits inside of a SABRE® MK3 canister, matching the exact form, function, and weight of the actual OC canister! This provides a way for officers to safely practice deploying their OC spray and, just the same as the CEW cartridges, the simulation characters display a realistic reaction for officers to learn from. Other less-lethal items include batons, gas grenades, bean bags and more.

All of our less-lethal product options benefit officers in receiving true-to-life de-escalation police training while also helping make sure that they return home safely each day.

 

Reach Out to Us!

We are always here to help answer any questions you may have about our less-lethal products, TASER simulator, Axon Taser, and more. Contact us today!

You get sent to a disorderly subject complaint in the parking lot of a local bar. Upon arrival, you observe rather large, intoxicated person yelling at a number of different people, challenging them to try and fight him. He sees you and quite pointedly challenges you to try to take him into custody. You determine that the best course of action is to use your electronic control weapon (ECW) in an attempt to get this person to cooperate.

You are within deployment distance, so you draw your ECW and start making the appropriate commands at the subject. Not only does he simply laugh you off, but he suddenly pulls out a large hunting knife from his rear waistband. Before you know it, he starts walking toward you in an aggressive manner. As you start to move off the “X,” you need to do a number of things in quick succession: Create distance, keep an eye on the subject and transition from ECW to firearm. Do you holster the ECW before unholstering your firearm?  Do you drop it on the ground and draw your gun? Do you stick with the ECW against the knife?  Have you practiced holstering up your ECW and transitioning to another option?

These types of situations, where an officer must move up or down in their use of force choices happens all the time. Unfortunately, many times use of force training focuses on a single force option. Officers will go through a training event where they will only be faced with a situation where they select an option, such as their handgun, and keep it out for the entirety of the training.

Officers need to be proficient with use of force transitions. In order to meet this proficiency, there are two specific areas that need to be trained: Recognizing when you should transition and properly transition from one item to another.

In an attempt to help with meeting these training needs, VirTra has developed a scenario to address these transitions. The scenario “Weapon Transition” has a number of different subjects that can appear with various threat levels. These subjects are all dressed the same and move the same, in an attempt to force the officer to simply focus on the actions that the subject takes.

When a subject in the scenario performs a certain action, the officer will have to determine if they should be escalating or de-escalating in the choice of control. This scenario covers both training needs (recognizing the need to transition, and actually performing the transition) in a single run through. With the multiple different subjects and actions they perform, officers can train multiple times without seeing the same situation twice. For instructors, this offers a high number of repetitions for the officers, with almost no downtime.

With the ability to play back the officer’s training session through our TMaR system, instructors can debrief the officer on how well they transitioned, and if the transition was appropriate. Video playback of an officer’s performance is invaluable since they can actually see what may need to be improved, or what they are doing right, instead of simply relying on an instructor’s feedback.

Remember, it’s not IF you’ll have to transition when interacting with someone, it’s WHEN you’ll have to do it, and how quickly you recognize the need to transition and how smoothly you perform it.

Stay safe!

 

Written by:

TJ Alioto

VirTra Law Enforcement Subject Matter Expert

Retired Peace Officer – Wauwatosa PD (WI)

When a non-compliant subject is resisting law enforcement officers, but their actions do not warrant the use of deadly force, the Axon® TASER® is often able to subdue the unruly individual. Temporarily immobilizing someone may cause them to cease the actions that prompted the TASER use in the first place, but this is not always the case. Situations evolve quickly and at unpredictable rates, so police may need to switch from a TASER to a firearm in case what was once seemed minor turns into a serious threat to officer and public safety.

While the TASER and firearm are on opposite sides of the belt, in a high-stress situation and/or one when an officer may not have had effective or frequent training, the two may be confused. When confronted with a sudden stressful situation that an officer isn’t prepared for, mistakes occur, and sometimes they result in death.

TASER training is more than just learning how to aim the probes to the correct location of a person’s body – although that is a part of it. Members of law enforcement also must know how and when to transition from a TASER to firearm and vice versa, depending on what happens in an ever-changing situation. VirTra has a certified V-VICTA™ course dedicated to not only TASER use, but transitions – aptly titled “Weapon Transitions.”

Like other V-VICTA curriculum, Weapon Transitions is available to all VirTra customers under an annual service agreement. It is a 5-hour nationally-certified course that is recognized in 37 states by POST. With the use of simulated scenarios along with a training manual containing training points, testing materials and more, officers and trainees can practice weapon transitions in an environment that is safe and controlled, but also realistic enough to simulate stress.

VirTra’s TASER Products

Along with curriculum such as TASER Targeting and Weapon Transitions, VirTra supplies agencies with drop-in replacement TASER simulation cartridges that allow officers to practice with their duty TASER within a VirTra simulator. With TX2 and X26P options, plus more in the works, instructors can train officers and trainees by monitoring their performance right from their desktop due to the unique laser IDs that are assigned to each trainee weapon. During debrief, instructors can see exactly where probes hit or missed.

The V-TX2 and V-X26P follow the same set of goals as other VirTra products – ensuring realism for the most effective training experience that will allow skills to properly transfer to the field. With physical fidelity met by the combination of a lifelike design and accurate trajectory and psychological fidelity fulfilled with stress-inducing scenarios, VirTra aims to keep officers and their communities safe and able to go home at night.

If you would like to learn more about how VirTra helps law enforcement members with TASER training and weapon transitions, contact a product specialist.

Training should not be a second thought, not a rushed affair and certainly not taken lightly. So why do some departments still train with outdated equipment? Depending on the equipment, its age and lack of technological advances, it could produce training scars. So why take the risk?

How This is Accomplished

VirTra’s training simulators and accessories are designed to immerse the trainee in real-life situations, making training so physically and psychologically real that skills are easily transferred to the field. This allows instructors to maximize training hours and lessons while knowing each trainee is receiving the best training possible.

Professional Actors and Equipment

To begin, VirTra’s scenarios are filmed with professional filming equipment and paid actors, ensuring high fidelity visuals for officers. VirTra does not use any CGI-characters in scenarios, as they are unable to recreate the small nuances that make humans realistic, such as micro-expressions, subtle body language and more. Instead, VirTra goes the extra mile to train professional actors how to move, speak and interact with other characters, often guiding them through multiple scenario outcomes, thus allowing us to create branching options for the instructor to select from while the scenario is in action.

Using the Entire Toolbelt

With VirTra, trainees are not stuck in simple shoot-don’t-shoot police training scenarios. Instead, due to our technological advances and accessories, trainees can use the entire toolbelt. This includes duty TASERs®—once outfitted with VirTra’s drop-in laser recoil kit—and OC spray. Now, trainees can practice with the entirety of force options, starting with verbal de-escalation and going up to less lethals or lethals if the situation demands it. As an instructor, you can provide better training on the use of force options.

Threat-Fire® Consequence Device

In a nutshell, the Threat-Fire is a consequence device that is attached to a trainee and delivers an electric impulse that simulates return fire, dog bites, explosions, etc. Instructors can use this device to safely apply stress and immediate negative consequences, if the scenario demands it. In addition to stress inoculation, Threat-Fire tests the trainee’s ability to stay engaged in the scenario and carry on with the mission despite the physical distraction. See this device in action while learning other details in this video.

Debriefing Scenarios and Marksmanship

Debriefing with VirTra is much more than a rudimentary summary of the scenario. Instead, VirTra offers the TMaR accessory—Trainee Monitoring and Recording—whose camera and microphone records the trainee’s performance during the scenario. Now in debrief, instructors can scrub through the scenario and replay any aspect, analyze any movement and review timing and shot placements. Can your current training simulator provide a debrief this in-depth?

Every training simulator, accessory and curriculum is designed to help keep officers and their communities safe. Learn more about how VirTra’s high-end technology can transform your department’s training by contacting a VirTra specialist.

As an instructor, have you seen local environments of high crime that would make for a beneficial training scene? With VirTra’s V-Author® program, this can be easily accomplished.

In a nutshell, V-Author is an easy-to-use scenario creation tool that is capable of creating virtually unlimited custom image-based scenarios, skill drills, targeting exercises and firearms training.

Working V-Author

To begin, users can pull an image from the provided background library of specific, real-world environments or upload their own. Instructors can take panoramic photographs of local high-risk locations, scenes of previous judgmental use of force incidents or other locations around town and convert these images into a simulation-ready background through V-Author.

After selecting the background, instructors can drag-and-drop pre-filmed characters onto the environment. This is where VirTra’s technology takes police training to the next level: character assets come programmed with a variety of behaviors and reactions that instructors can program to be triggered by events initiated by the trainee. Characters can also react to each other, scene events or even instructor-driven commands in arbitrarily complex ways. This allows for a virtually unlimited set of potential scenarios, all crafted around the trainer’s need and preference.

Further Customizing Training

However, the training does not stop there. In V-Author, every character is independent and instructors can reuse them in new scenarios or modify their current behavior for a new outcome within the current, existing training scenario. As such, law enforcement trainees can learn from, communicate with and participate in scenarios that are ever-shifting. Training after this manner gives instructors the freedom to create the exact training situations needed by their department, rather than being confined to a limited list of scenarios that other training simulator companies offer.

Remember how we mentioned each character is independent? In addition to having a variety of behaviors, characters are programmed to provide separate reactions based on the hit zone location and weapon type fired by the trainee. For example, characters will respond appropriately for Axon® TASER®, OC and gas reactions, then have an entirely different reaction for a shot to the limb. To further the realism, projectiles can be defined with animation effects such as TASER probe wires unfurling when fired, or gas clouds on impact of a gas grenade.

Debriefing in V-Author

Just like with all VirTra scenarios, in V-Author, debrief is completed through VOS. This allows the instructor to play the situation back at different speeds, scrub the timeline forward or backward, show the placement of shots fired and more. As a training bonus, instructors can save sessions to playback as a training tool at a later time.

This article only covers the beginnings of V-Author. This powerful training tool allows the instructor to design a training regime around local environments and department-specific training needs. For more information, watch our in-depth YouTube video or contact a VirTra Specialist.