Introducing SimMan Programming

From WickedSim

A really basic introduction to programming SimMan

SimMan programming isn't really that difficult:

1. Download our V3.2 scenario pack called WickedSim.zip [1], and unzip it so that it is a folder called Wickedsim in the following directory:

  "/Program Files/Laerdal Medical/SimMan/ri/userdata"

Within the above directory you should have a subdirectory called WickedSim. In Windows Explorer, click on that directory --- it should contain a SimMan directory which in turn contains subdirectories called handlers, menus, scenarios, and trends. We'll soon find out how to use all of the contents of these menus.

But more important than that, note that it is a very trimmed down version of the directory that SimMan himself creates when a new user is created, so there are NONE of those legacy patients.

This means that you can go in and copy this directory and transport it on a simple memory stick and place it onto any computer running SimMan V3.x and you will have your scenarios. (Sure beats having to manage a huge file or transporting your laptop around)

2. Run SimMan. Log on as WickedSim (you should not need a password!)

3. Click on the Edit tab and then select Start Scenario Editor. Within the scenario editor click on File and Open and navigate the tree to the WickedSim directory, and then down to the scenarios sub-menu, just the way you did above when you checked the directories in Windows Explorer. (You did check, didn't you?)

4. Look around Scenario Editor to familiarise yourself a bit with the layout. The structure is the usual Windows one, with menu options up at the top such as File, Edit, View and so on.

The states making up the scenario are below in the middle of the screen, each state being in its own box with a title and contents below the title.

On the left are two large boxes full of icons. The top is called Actions and the one below this Events.

The way one inserts Actions into state boxes within the scenario is simple (if not entirely mnemonic):

 1. Click on the desired action (for example, BP) with the mouse cursor;
 2. Then click on the scenario state where you wish to put the action;
 3. A box will pop up allowing you to specify the details of the action.

Inserting an event that will allow you to move from one state to another is similar. Click on the desired event in the Events box on the left (for example ABC), and then on one of the three little boxes at the bottom of a state box. You can then specify the details of the event.

You'll see that there is another set of icons just above the bold SimMan logo on the left. The effects of clicking on each of these icons should be obvious --- the leftmost allows you to create a new state, the chain logo allows you to link states, and so on.

5. Choose a scenario. We'll start with Scenario - Airway Drill 1