### **This time, the fireworks are for a reason.**

 

#### **Welcome, new year 2021!**

After the turbulent year 2020, we can't wait to greet the new year - and we are hopeful it will be a much better year for humanity. 

 

#### **Let's celebrate.**

Let's celebrate the heroes that saved all these lives this year, the heroes that fought on the front lines. 

Let's celebrate how we all adapted to the new way the world operates - embracing a new way of working (remotely or not), living and safety measures in place. 

Let's celebrate the fact that, this year's misfortunes brought the best in all of us - it reminded us to be humble, to appreciate the moments, to care for one another, and to be better as people.

 

#### **What happened at Dual Good Health during 2020?**

This year proved that our mission is all worth fighting for - the mission for saving lives is all the more important.

A lot of people learned that doing things virtually can be more efficient - and spoke to us about helping them do this. 

We had enquiries from organisations that are looking to incorporate VR training specifically because of the pandemic. They are in the process of creating isolated training rooms where trainees can train in a social distant manner, so that safety measures and government guidelines are followed.

It seems that it is happening faster than before - organisations are embracing Virtual Reality training as a way to train during the pandemic and beyond.

 

#### **What's next?**

We are continuing our work with our corporate clients, as well as clients from the Education and healthcare sectors. 

The beginning of 2021 will be busy, but we cannot wait to get it started.

We are looking forward to bringing even more training to the remote learners of the world, and helping them save lives. 

 

**Happy holidays! We hope they are just the start of the new, happy moments to come in 2021.**

We are looking forward to 2021 - let it be a better year for all of the humanity.

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A better year is coming... welcome, 2021

Have you considered Virtual Reality (VR) training for your workplace? There are considerable benefits to this kind of training, and despite what you might think, you don’t need to be tech-oriented to undertake VR training — it's more accessible than you might realise!

Let’s dive straight in and explore the benefits of remote training that you might not know about (or even have considered!).

 

### **Faster, better learning**

Participants in VR training tend to pick up the concepts of the training faster, and retain knowledge at a much improved rate than with traditional training methods. So why is this? 

It’s all to do with engagement. The nature of VR training means it’s an immersive experience, which allows your employees to feel more connected to the training and thus more engaged with it.

Research figures estimate course content can be learned up to 4 times faster using VR training, with trainees reporting that they feel they not only have a better grasp of the concepts taught, but also feel more confident about using the skills and knowledge gained from the course in real-life situations. 

Furthermore, because there are no distractions, VR training makes it easier to focus. It also removes the awkwardness many course attendees feel when doing in-person team exercises, such as group tasks or roleplays, allowing employees to partake in collaborative activities in a comfortable, ‘safe’ environment.

 

### **Enhances both ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’**

Soft skills are becoming as important as technical skills and qualifications in the workplace — and this trend doesn’t look like it will be going anywhere soon. 

This is another huge benefit that VR training offers — it helps enhance skills such as communication, leadership, and team management. Employees feel more emotionally connected to the immersive experience that VR provides, and can gain skills in relating to a diverse range of ‘real-world’ scenarios that address issues such as bias and exclusion.

VR is just as useful for teaching hands-on, technical skills. Now that the technology has evolved to the stage where highly detailed and realistic environments can be replicated, complex tasks and training can be carried out in a risk-free environment. This has applications across a huge range of industries, from medicine and healthcare, to aviation, energy, and more. 

 

### **Cost-effective and convenient**

This leads nicely on to the cost-effectiveness of VR training, and one of the main aspects of this is saving organisations the expense and resources needed to replicate physical training for technical skills — not to mention the expense if something goes wrong and an expensive piece of equipment is damaged.

There are no limits to how many employees can attend as the training can be carried out remotely — no need to cover travel and accommodation costs (the sustainability benefits here are worth a mention also!). It’s convenient and ties in with our accepted ‘new normal’ of working, with remote, flexible and hybrid workplaces being the future. 

Finally, because of the increased learning speed and engagement that we have already discussed, less of an organisation's valuable time is spent on training overall; translating into even more cost optimisation. 

Ready to begin your organisation’s virtual reality training journey? [Get started here!](https://www.dualgoodhealth.com/)

Have you considered Virtual Reality (VR) training for your workplace? There are considerable benefits to this kind of training, and despite what you might think, you don’t need to be tech-oriented to undertake VR training — it's more accessible than you might realise!


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The Benefits of Virtual Reality Training

When you hear Virtual Reality (VR), does your mind instantly jump to gaming? If it does, that’s perfectly normal — it’s probably the most publicised type of VR use in the media! 

However, VR has a number of other uses, and adoption and application is increasing all of the time — in business, education and personal life. Let’s take a look at five VR uses you might not know about (apart from gaming, of course!).
 

### **Commerce**
VR has been used in many areas of commerce to great success, and although technology has been being trialled in this sector for some time, like many other technologies it’s seen an uptick during the pandemic, where we’ve been unable to do or see things in-person.

From trying on clothes virtually and browsing for furniture, to virtual test drives and property tours, the applications of the technology are endless, and it’s incredibly exciting to see where it will lead.
 

### **Travel and leisure**
The travel and leisure industry has benefited greatly from VR — particularly during the pandemic. 
The travel industry has actually been using this technology for a while, to give customers a ‘feel’ for holiday destinations around the world — allowing them to visit different destinations in a virtual setting before making travel choices, or just allowing people to learn more about the customs and cultures of other countries.
With virtual events becoming the norm, and hybrid events looking likely while restrictions on numbers are still in place, it makes sense that the events sector has embraced VR. Again, this is an area where use is only going to increase, including for events such as theatre shows, concerts and festivals, as well as business conventions.

 

### **Healthcare**
One use of VR you might not be aware of is in a therapeutic setting. This includes helping people with mental health problems such as anxiety, phobias or PTSD, by helping them experience and learn coping mechanisms for triggering events and situations in a safe, controlled environment. 

The technology has been used to similar effect for individuals with neurological conditions such as autism, again helping with coping mechanisms in stressful situations, as well as building social and reasoning skills.

VR has even been used to help patients with physical disabilities, allowing them the chance to experience the thrills of previously impossible environments and activities. Headsets are even being used to help people with paralysis to ‘build back’ their brain functions, aiming to help them regain control of limbs. This is an incredibly exciting use of VR, with amazing future implications.
 

### **Medicine**
VR has become popular in a medical setting, particularly in training, and this includes allowing medical students to learn and acquire work experience faster. 
Using VR training, students can learn how to carry out intricate surgical procedures which are time-intensive and potentially life-threatening in the real world, in a risk-free environment that’s more conducive to learning and knowledge retention. CPR training and life support skills are another area where the training can build on critical skills, and give trainees much more confidence about using said skills in a real-life situation.
The technology has also been used in pain management for patients — from physiotherapy, to cancer treatment, and even dental work. VR can effectively distract the patient’s brain, drawing the mind away from the painful experience being endured. 
 

### **Workplace Training**
Finally, VR is increasingly being adopted as part of workplace training — to great success. It not only helps employees learn faster and learn smarter, it can allow for considerable time and cost savings for businesses. 

From teaching critical technical skills remotely, to allowing for the practice of risky maneuvers in a safe environment, to improving team collaboration and workplace-crucial ‘soft’ skills; this is another area where VR is rapidly showing its worth. 

At Dual Good Health, we bring immersive training to businesses across the globe. While our focus is Healthcare and Enterprise, our software is suitable for various sectors, including Education, Manufacturing and more. 

Learn to save lives with Dual Good Health — get in touch [here.](https://www.dualgoodhealth.com/)

When you hear Virtual Reality (VR), does your mind instantly jump to gaming? If it does, that’s perfectly normal...

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Uses for Virtual Reality Other Than Gaming

We are proud to announce that Dual Good is now an official Oculus ISV Partner. 

As described on Oculus for Business's website, "The Oculus ISV Program is a program that works with enterprise developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to engage with Oculus in order to accelerate customer adoption of VR solutions built for Oculus enterprise products.""

The program's mission is to "Revolutionise the way that the world's top companies work and collaborate."

 

## **Why we joined**

 

By joining the program, we, at Dual Good Health, are aiming to keep contributing to the VR ecosystem and be part of the VR community that is now building the future of enterprise and consumer tools and shaping the way that people will collaborate, work and train. 

As a result of joining the programme, we are now listed on the **[Oculus ISV Directory](https://business.oculus.com/isv-program/directory/)** where you will find us listed in the categories **"Health & Wellness"** as well as **"Employee Training".**

 

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## **Find out more**

 

**[Get in touch](https://www.dualgoodhealth.com/contact)** to find out more about our involvement in the VR ecosystem. You can also find out more about the Oculus ISV programme on the **[Oculus for Business website](https://business.oculus.com/isv-program/)**.

We are now an official Oculus ISV Partner. 


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Dual Good Health joins Oculus ISV Partners

With the quick spread of Covid-19, 2020 has seen an unprecedented situation unfold in the world. Our lives changed dramatically, and we learnt to live in a new way, while changing our habits, lifestyle and even our human encounters.

At the time of writing this article, Covid-19 is still at its height, with more than 300,000 deaths in the US, and 1.6m deaths globally.

Thankfully, the majority of us are now very familiar with the rules we need to follow, that have been [recommended by official bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO)](https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019). These guidelines are designed to keep us and the people around us safe and minimise exposure to the virus when it comes to both our professional and personal lives.

 


## **Covid-19 and face to face training**

 

But what are the rules when it comes to essential training such as Basic Life Support (BLS)?

Life Support training is as important as ever, and it is important to keep your training up-to-date, despite the current situation. But how can you do this safely?

A leading CPR and BLS regulatory body, the American Heart Organisation, issued a [statement for training providers ](https://cpr.heart.org/-/media/cpr-files/resources/covid-19-resources-for-cpr-training/training-memo--instructional-changes-during-covid19-outbreak_updated-7120.pdf?la=en)(updated 1st July 2020) outlining the new rules to follow when conducting training. This advice recommended following local government guidelines, WHO guidelines, and minimising training risk as much as possible in a face to face training setting.

In the past few months, these new restrictions have led to a change in the way training is done, to incorporate social distancing and/or online training sessions. Many training providers have chosen to do the majority of their training digitally, via web conferencing software, with only practical training modules done in person. Others have gone completely digital, with no face to face interaction. 

 

## **VR BLS training during Covid**

 

Another way to conduct your BLS training in a socially distant way is to use Virtual Reality. This can either be done at home, or at your office, if your organisataion has a VR headset available.

 

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### **Using VR to train at home**

 

The safest way to train is to do so with your own VR headset at home, which does not get shared with anyone else but your household. 

In terms of hardware, the Oculus Quest 2 ([64GB](https://amzn.to/3mdfY81) or [256GB](https://amzn.to/37YmTgg)) is a good, reasonably priced VR device for home use. You will also need to install our BLS training software - [get in touch](https://www.dualgoodhealth.com/contact) with us to find out more about how you can do this. 

 

### **VR training in a public space**

 

A lot of organisations are now choosing to train their employees in-house, with the help of Virtual Reality. 

It is a great, socially distant way to train, as it allows the trainees to train by themselves without the need for a trainer and without any people in close proximity.

However, hygiene and safety are extremely important to consider when using VR headsets and VR controllers shared by multiple people in a training setting.

 

## **Safety measures for VR training in public**

 

Source: the information below has been compiled from [this article by Serious VR](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vr-hygiene-safety-everything-you-need-know-evelien-ydo/).


### **1. Detergents & hand sanitisers**

 

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus is able to survive up to 72 hours on plastic according to Suman et al. (2020). Furthermore, researchers from the REALM project found that the virus was detectable for up to eight days on leather and synthetic leather materials. It should be noted that it is still unclear what the infectious dose for humans is, so the survival time of COVID-19 is no indicator for a surface being dangerous or safe. You could quarantine your headsets and controllers for an amount of time or use detergents to decontaminate. Different detergents have different effects on the survival of COVID-19 (e.g. Kampf, Todt, Pfaender & Steinmann, 2020). Keep in mind that certain detergents will probably leave some residue on the face, for example, detergents based upon chloride, which can irritate the skin or the eyes. Next to that, always follow the instructions of the specific detergent.
 
Ethanol-based detergents appear to be most effective against viruses (including COVID-19) and are usually readily available (Gold & Avya, 2020). It is advised to use a concentration of 70% alcohol. The minimal advisable concentration is 60% and the maximal one is 80%. 

 

### **2. Cleanable & disposable face pads**

 

As VR headsets usually have a face pad which is not waterproof, it is advisable to purchase face pads that are waterproof. Replacement with a waterproof one makes it safer and easier to properly disinfect the face pad. A cotton cover or a disposable face pad over the existing face pad, does not protect from Covid-19, as moisture can seep through.
Replace the cotton cover after every user, wash it with hot water and detergent and decontaminate underneath the disposable or cotton cover after every user.
 
Companies that sell these waterproof face pads are for example https://vrcover.com/ & https://widmovr.com/shop/
 
 

### **3. Educating staff**

 

It is important to educate staff and users on proper hygiene and safety protocols. Think educating about health checks, assertiveness during contact, building trust, and following the right protocols. It could be useful to do a risk assessment and evaluation to get a better understanding of the specific safety risks of a situation.

 

### **4. Example safety protocols**

 

Following a set protocol and procedure will reduce human error and ensure everyone understands how the virus spreads and the risks it poses for infection. Keep in mind, the easier you make it to decontaminate the headset, the easier people will adopt your protocol.
 
Here is a protocol example for the end user of VR training, as well as detailed information on decontaminating the headset:

 

**EXAMPLE SAFETY & HYGIENE PROTOCOL FOR USERS**

This example protocol has been designed for general usage, to serve our non-medical as well as medical users. We highly recommend implementing a training schedule where each staff member trains individually, on their own, and if possible with at least a 72h window between each individual training session. 

 1. When experiencing any symptoms of cold, like a sore throat, coughing, or clogged sinuses, please do not participate, even if you are on your own and there’s no one else in the training room. Please do not touch the headset. 
 2. If there is a facilitator in the room with you, be mindful to keep a 2-meter distance between you and the other facilitator (and use COVID-19 approved masks).
 3. Read and listen carefully to the instructions of the facilitator (if listening, please do so over the phone or within a safe distance of 2m). 
 4. Pick up the headset yourself and put it on your head. Under any circumstances do not let anyone else touch the headset or its accessories during the training session. If you need the facilitator’s help, please ask over a safe distance or phone / video call. 
 5. Remove the headset yourself when finished. **DECONTAMINATE the headset** as per the instruction on the next protocol. 


 

**DECONTAMINATING THE VR HEADSETS & ACCESSORIES**

 
Use a detergent with at least **70% alcohol, soap, medical disinfectant wipes**. Make sure you let the cleansed parts sit and dry according to the instructions of the detergent! 

 1. Retrieve the potentially contaminated headset from the training area to a designated cleaning zone. 
 2. Unplug the headset from its power source, if it's been left to charge. 
 3. Pull off (if applicable) the cleanable face part (should be waterproof) and disinfect it with a suitable detergent. Waterproof face parts can be bought online. 
 4. Disinfect the key areas: Top and bottom area of the headset, which you touch when putting the headset on and taking it off, head bands which keep the headset on your head, facial interface including nose area. Do not clean the lenses with anything abrasive. Use a dry microfiber cloth. Disinfect buttons that have been pressed. Do not put the headset in the sun to dry, because the sun could damage it! Do not use the headset until everything is completely dry! 
 5. Wipe down the controllers and any accessories used. Do not use the controllers until they are completely dry. 
 6. Disinfect your hands (with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer of at least 70%). 
 7. Retrieve the decontaminated headset (+controllers). 

*If possible, do not use the headset for 72 hours or more for maximum safety. Taking the precautions above cannot guarantee 100% COVID-19 safety.*

 
 

Thank you for reading this article. For any questions or more detailed information, please [contact us](https://www.dualgoodhealth.com/contact).

 

*Disclaimer: Even though we have done extensive research and follow the guidance of official medical bodies, we cannot guarantee full safety as COVID-19 is still being researched and there is no official guidance on VR headset usage by organisations dealing with infectious disease control.*

What are the best ways to train in BLS during the pandemic, while keeping maximum safety for yourself and the others?

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BLS Training During Covid

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A better year is coming... welcome, 2021

We are looking forward to 2021 - let it be a better year for all of the humanity.

December 23rd, 2020

This time, the fireworks are for a reason.

Welcome, new year 2021!

Let's celebrate.

What happened at Dual Good Health during 2020?

What's next?

Author