Interactive XR learning methods can improve training retention and save lives

On 30 April 2021, at about 00:50 IDT (UTC+3), a deadly crowd crush occurred in Mount Meron, Israel, during the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, at which it was estimated that 100,000 people were in attendance. 

45 men and boys at the event were killed, and about 150 were injured, dozens of them critically, making it the deadliest civil disaster in the history of the State of Israel.

This was the direct outcome of bad planning. Israeli police officials admitted they lacked the tools to effectively prepare for this event.

Unfortunately, this isn't surprising. Emergency Response Teams worldwide use primitive classroom exercises and tools such as PowerPoint to prepare and train for these routine missions.

According to "N. DeKanter, Gaming redefines interactivity for learning":

Only 5% of the information heard in classroom exercises is actually retained. Compared to 75% retention in interactive learning methods. 

Lecture style preparation for a mission by police officers

When the life of an officer or civilian is on the line, effective training becomes vastly more important than it would in a typical business training environment.

As a result, law enforcement trainers seek out those systems and processes that will ensure that trainees understand and can put into practice what they’re learning.

Moreover, they are in search of active simulation modules that will force trainees to make split-second decisions.

This is exactly what Oversight enables. Oversight is a collaborative workspace based in augmented reality that accurately represents the real environment, enabling Emergency Response Teams to create and simulate any scenario, anywhere.

This fundamentally alters trainees decision-making and mission-planning process towards a more dynamic and active format. One of the conclusions of the Meron commission of inquiry was that better preparation for this event was needed.

This is why the Israeli Police use the Oversight system to prepare and train for the upcoming Lag Ba'Omer pilgrimage to Mount Meron from the 8th to the 9th of May in 2023.

Check out this news coverage regarding the Israeli police's preparations for the upcoming event: 

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Oversight is an XR software company based in Israel. It was founded in 2021 by former aerospace and electrical engineers who previously worked at one of the top Security Agencies in Israel. Oversight is on a mission to help Emergency Response Teams better prepare for life-and-death missions.