The provision of realistic hands-on radiation training is increasingly viewed as a fundamental factor in ensuring CBRNe, HazMat and emergency first response personnel are prepared to handle the challenging demands of radiological hazard incidents.
The newest addition to the Argon Electronics (UK) Ltd. stable of radiation training simulators, the RadEye GF-10 SIM, promises to take the authenticity, repeatability and effectiveness of gamma radiation safety training to a new level.
High impact gamma radiation training
The development of the RadEye SIM has been a collaborative effort - combining Argon's wealth of experience in the design and manufacture of simulation technology with ThermoFisher's reputation as a world leader in the development of advanced handheld instruments for radiation detection.
While many other types of radiation training simulator utilise ultrasound or radio waves, a key differentiator of the RadEye SIM is that it responds to a Radsim electromagnetic source that more realistically recreates the behaviour and characteristics of ionizing radiation.
High impact radiation training relies on the authenticity of the user interface.
In the case of the RadEye SIM, all the key user interface components (display, indicators, switch panel, sounder, vibrator etc) have been recreated exactly as they appear on the real RadEye high range gamma survey meter.
The simulator's response speed and characteristics, when approaching or withdrawing from a simulation source, is also identical to that of the actual RadEye survey meter, enabling instructors to add even greater authenticity to their source search/find training exercises.
Simulated sensitivity means that the simulator is able to detect the Radsim GS4 simulation gamma source at a free space distance of typically 60 metres / 200 feet distance line of sight.
The implementation of powerful proprietary signal processing means that all simulated readings are consistently repeatable every time a student revisits the same scenario location.
The effects of user body shielding are also realistically simulated to ensure survey teams understand how to use, and interpret, their detector readings and alarms.
Also listed among the RadEye SIM's key simulation features are:
- extremely realistic inverse square law response that is within real detector tolerance
- highly realistic representation of the different effects of shielding
- easily selectable units of measurement
- dose and dose rate alarm settings
- language selection
- configurable menu settings
- a user interface that replicates the look and feel of the real RadEye
Cost effective realistic training
Ease of use and the cost effectiveness of training were defining factors in the development of the RadEye simulator.
By replacing the real detector with its simulator equivalent, there is no longer the requirement for preventative maintenance, no regular calibration and (aside from standard commercial batteries) no need for costly replacement of consumables.
The RadEye SIM is also fully compatible with Argon's Live Field and Tabletop CBRNe exercise system, PlumeSIM, which is currently in use by many of the world's leading radiation training facilities.
When operating under intense emergency conditions, there may well be minimal information to hand when first arriving on the scene of a radiological incident, and limited time in which to make crucial decisions.
Ensuring personnel are familiar with the functionality of radiological survey equipment is a vital element of radiological survey training.
But equally too, it is essential that they are able to make sense of the readings they obtain and that they can act on that information to achieve a safe and effective outcome.
With the release of Argon's RadEye GF-10 SIM, there is the opportunity for radiation safety trainers and trainees to create, and experience, a learning environment that is highly realistic, consistent and repeatable. Further simulation versions of the Thermo RadEye are planned. RadEye is a trade mark of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
