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More on KentOnline
A scout leader has created a 999 simulator to help children stay calm and know what to expect when calling for help.
Matt Stephens came up with the idea while searching for a way to teach youngsters at Barming Tiger Cubs about first aid.
To boost their confidence in dialling 999, he set up a system so they could learn how to make simulated calls.
Then, when lockdown hit and his work as an audio visual engineer came to a halt, he decided to expand the technology into a website anyone can use.
The 35-year-old from Barming said: “I created a little program so they could listen to my computer asking them questions and they could respond as if they were talking to a real person.
“I came home with all this equipment and my wife said ‘why don’t you make it into a website’ and then the idea spiralled from there.
“I had a lot of time on my hands where all the events had been cancelled so I carried on working on the website to make it bigger and better.”
Now the platform is free to use and guidance such as scripts were supplied by HM Coastguard.
There is one scenario for each emergency service, although Mr Stephen says he hopes to add more in the future.
They are all child-friendly but provide useful information to anyone who may be calling for the first time.
During lockdown, Mr Stephens also started working for the non-emergency patient transport team which he says has been ‘eye-opening’.
This accompanied by seeing Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapse on the pitch during the Euro 2020 game against Finland after he suffered a cardiac arrest, inspired Mr Stephens to spread the word about the simulator so more people have the skills to quickly and efficiently call for help.
He added: “Instant intervention from the medical team on site brought him back to life before he left the pitch.
“I want more people to know it’s there because his recovery is a prime example of what quick and timely response to emergencies can do.
"When you’re on the phone to 999 your adrenaline shoots out the roof and you panic especially if you have never done it before.
“I remember my first time doing it and I froze. Having a tool like this, hopefully it will help people know what to expect.”
When on the website, users can start a call and choose which emergency service they want to practice reaching.
They will then be asked a series of questions and can click through to different stages of the call when ready.
The programme is free to use but donations to emergency service charities can also be made through the website.
