Work-in-Progress—Stress and Flow Assessment during a Virtual Reality Fire Extinguishing Training

Abstract

Firefighters must be trained to deal with stress during firefighting and applying procedures. Aiming to alleviate the limitations in practice opportunities, a virtual reality (VR) application for training on fire extinguishing was developed, allowing for practice in a safe learning environment, while remaining aligned with the real-life training and the corresponding procedures. This work-in-progress paper investigates whether recruits experience stress and flow during the training by means of self-reported and physiological data. The physiological data measured (heart and respiration rate) significantly increased during the VR training, thus confirming arousal. The participants reported experiencing flow but not stress during the training.