Training Tuesdays: Basic Trauma Equipment Course (BTEC) training

First posted on November 4, 2025

Here at the RCMP Academy, RCMP Cadets now receive Basic Trauma Equipment Course (BTEC) since March of 2025. This course teaches essential skills for responding to trauma situations. It covers a range of lifesaving measures that police officers may use, as they are oftentimes first on scene. These include Rapid Trauma Patient Assessment, Basic Airway Management, and more.

For the wound packing and pressure dressing portion of BTEC, 3D printed silicon arms with wounds are used. Having an actual "arm" for this part of the course has made it much more realistic for the cadets. Hands-on experience helps build muscle memory when learning new skills. Having this "arm" provides cadets a way to practice emergency care that is closer to real-life scenarios.

Fun fact: The 3D printed arms are created here by the Learning Technology and Creative Services Unit.