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We’ve all seen virtual reality headsets used to explore a video game level, watch a match in 360-degree video, visit an apartment or try out an industrial product. Now they can even save lives...in actual reality.
At a time when only 20% of French people are proficient in first aid, the startup D’un seul geste has developed a way to train company employees in life-saving skills using virtual reality and a smart first-aid dummy. For one hour, employees will embark on an immersive experience, ensuring that they are more likely to remember their training and move quickly into action. This innovative approach could save nearly 20,000 lives a year if 80% of the population receives the appropriate training. Don’t think twice, act now!
At the crossroads between medicine and technology, the startup works with firefighters, a virtual-reality engineer, a social entrepreneur and a marketing manager specialised in the health care industry.
Where did you get the idea for this startup?
The idea came from a simple and striking observation: the French are not sufficiently trained in first aid techniques. While looking for a way to change things, I met Bernard Périco, former commander of the Paris Fire Brigade, who shared my concerns, as well as Ludovic Fagot, former VR Project Manager at Dassault Aviation. Together, we wanted to create an attractive, effective and sustainable solution for training massive numbers of French people in life-saving skills. That was where the project got its start.
Any recent good news?
Our team is expanding! Three people recently joined our startup in order to help structure our development. It’s always a big event when we welcome new people to the team. We’ve also expanded our network of trainers, and we are now ready to offer our services across all of France.
What is the most unexpected thing that your startup has made you do?
At the 2019 VivaTech Expo, Emmanuel Macron made a brief appearance in the hall where we were exhibiting. With not a minute to lose, I tried to present him our first-aid training programme. And it worked! We had a conversation on the subject, and he seemed interested in the project. That morning, I never expected I would get to present D’un seul geste to the President of France!
In what way does your project revolutionise your category?
We provide comprehensive training on life-saving skills in just one hour. In our programme, trainees will be able to practice techniques in nearly real-life conditions using virtual reality (VR). With the skills that we teach, employees will be more likely to remember their training and move quickly into action.
