When floods caused by DANA storms hit Spain, they left behind destruction and a wake-up call: we need to prepare better. That’s how VR-RESCUE was born — a pioneering project by the University of Barcelona together with MetaMedicsVR..
The goal? To train future doctors, nurses, health professionals, and technical staff in managing disasters using immersive VR simulations. By stepping into virtual flood scenarios, participants can practice response protocols in a safe, controlled, and incredibly realistic way.
Institutions and training centers that collaborate in practical and safe learning.
Traditional training in disaster management faces serious obstacles:
To truly prepare professionals, training needed to go beyond theory — it had to immerse them in the reality of a crisis.
VR-RESCUE harnesses the power of virtual reality to recreate highly realistic flood scenarios.
This synergy has produced a training model that blends science, technology, and empathy, preparing professionals for the unpredictable challenges of natural disasters.
“Virtual Reality gives us a powerful tool to train our students and staff in emergency management, enhancing their preparedness and response capacity in critical situations.”
— Dr. Jose Antonio Sarria Guerrero, Professor, University of Barcelona
practice critical decisions without real-world danger.
VR captures the intensity of disasters far better than traditional methods.
The model can be expanded to other natural disasters and training programs worldwide.