When we first went to the human simulator at Duke University's hospital we thought it would be bogus since it is just a plastic mannequin. We didn't think that a plastic dummy could be of any help medically, but when we arrived there and did procedures on the mannequin we found out that they use the mannequin to practice different routines. We found out that this mannequin had hundreds of sensors and monitors that fed back to a computer in a control room which is meant to prompt and lead the mannequin while medical students take care of it.

With the help of an actual resident we learned the steps to administer anesthesia. Not only did we learn steps of patient care we also learned how to use the medical equipment. Once we had a walk though by Dr. Carrie Clarke we had a chance to actually do something on the mannequin. Derin prepared Stan (the mannequin) for surgery. Shivani inserted the breathing tube and monitored the heart beat with Leslie, while Nate was monitoring the heartbeats. Matthew had done the IV job.

During the operation done by the students we had a few obstacles, for example in the middle of the surgery our patient stopped breathing because one of his lungs had collapsed. It continued to fill with air and as a result began to push all of the other organs. We had to puncture the left lung to release the pressure. In the end the procedure was successful.

We learned process though difficult procedures and how they are solved. When we left we had learned different things about medical practice, education involved in being a doctor, and the abc's of an operation (airway, breathing, circulation). It would be a great experience for anyone wanting to be in nursing, doctoring, or just wanting to learn some anatomy.